3S0 .07723 
LSt>r 


OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY 
Of  ILLINOIS 


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or 


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Latest  Date  stamped  below. 

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i 


fyapk  Gast  & Go., 

QIQdR  * ndNUMCTURERS  * 

WHOLESALE  TOBACCONISTS. 

DECATUR,  IND. 


Smoke  the  COURT  ROYAL  all  Havana  Sumatra 
Wrapper  and  Hand  Made  Sc.  Cigar. 


STOP  IN  THE  SHADE 


AT  THE 

e*>  NEE VV  F’EEEED  BARN  <& 

DECATUR,  INDIANA. 

PRICE,  lO  CENTS  A RIG. 


PEOPLES  & RICE,  Prop’rs. 


PETER  HGLTH0U5E  & CO, 

1 Oil  ESliiSM  SMB  m KM  lets  11  flBlIS, 


DECATUR.  INDIANA. 


Is  equal  to  most  Ten  Cent  Cigars  but  it  only  costs 
Five  Cents.  Manufactured  by 

T.  C.  CORBETT,  Decatur,  irsd. 


I 


DECATUR,  ADAMS  COUNTY. 


Jfirsc/i  & Sellemeyer, 


Proprietors  of  the 


Riverside  UimberYards 


Complete  Stock  of  BUILDING  MATERIAL, 
MOULDING,  LATH,  SHINGLES,  FENCING, 
FENCE  POSTS,  SEWER  and  BUILDING 
TILE,  Etc*,  Constantly  on  Hand* 


Estimates  Furnished  Free.  Telephone  No.  12. 

II 555 13 


2 


DECATUR,  ADAMS  COUNTY. 


DEALER  IN 

101 11 


LIME , PLASTERING  HAIR, 
CEMENT  AND  FERTILIZERS , 

ALSO 


A FULL  LINE  OF  FARM  <&  GARDEN 


IN  BULK.  IN  QUANTITIES  TO  SUIT  RURCH ASERS . 

Office  and  Retail  Warehouse* 

S.  EL  Cor.  Second  and  Jefferson  Streets* 

Your  Patronage  Solicited. 


* • . ■ 


Sitin' 

iiviimrtniinni 

•I  i [ i i / 

DECATUR,  ADAMS  COUNTY. 


D.  M.  HENSLEY, 

Jeweler.  Engiei  M Welt 


Examining  Eyes  and 
Repairing  of  all  Kinds 
a Specialty. 


SECOND  STREET. 


H.  S.  PORTER, 

LIGHT  AND  HEAVY 

Hand-Made  Harness 

Carriage  Trimming  and  Upholstering. 
Horse  Goods  of  all  kinds. 
Repairing  Done. 


/ BUY  AND  SELL 

NeuJ  and  Second-Hand  Goods 

Stoves,  Ranges,  Furniture,  Etc. 

Also  Tents  and  Awnings. 

HE  BARGAIHS. 


BIG  SATISFACTION 


4 


DECATUR,  ADAMS  COUNTV. 


— 

WHY  SHUFFLE 

ABOUT  IN  SHOES  TOO  LARGE 


OR  LIMF 

IN  A PAIR  TOO  SMALL  ? 


Comfort,  Style,  Beauty  and  Durability 
are  combined  in  the 
Artistic  Foot  Covering  sold  by 
Holthouse  & Mougey. 

While  in  the  City  give  them  a call. 
They  will  be  pleased  to  show  you 
through  their  Store. 

HDLTHDUSE  l FH0UGEY. 


A.  Holthouse’s  Old  Stand. 


mi  my 

tiyihiuu  mu  fit 

DECATUR,  ADAMS  COUNTY.  5 


Barney  Wemhoff, 


Manufacturers  and 
Dealers  in  . . . 


T/fcirble  and  Sranite 


77fonumentsy 


BUILDING  STONE,  ETC. 


THIRTY-FIVE  YEARS  EXPERIENCE. 


OFFICE  AND  WORKS  ON  MONROE  STREET, 

ONE  SQUARE  WEST  OF  ADAMS  COUNTY  BANK, 

GEO.  WEMHOFF,  Manager. 


German  Lettering  Executed  in  the 
Finest  Style  of  the  Art* 


v JL/AVA  1 L i\  , A I . 

The  DECATUR  WASHER 


IS  BEYOND  A DOUBT 

THE  LADIES'  FRIEND 


The  Latest  Improved,  the  Easiest  Running  and  the  Best  Washing  Machine 
Now  in  existence.  If  you  have  no  Washing  Machine,  give  this 
Washer  a trial.  If  your  Dealer  does  not  handle  this  Washer,  address 
the  undersigned  and  you  will  be  accommodated. 

Very  Respectfully  Yours, 


Manufacturer  of 

THE  DECATUR  WASHER. 

AGENTS  WANTED. 


PETER  KIRSCH 

FACTORY 
NORTH  THIRD  ST. 


Manufacturers  ef  and  Dealers  in 


Wood  and  c Steel  Wind  7// His, 

TJan/cs,  ZPumps,  Cnyines,  Cisterns 
and  S*ipe 

GENERAL  REPAIRS  A SPECIALTY . 


MILLER  & FORD,  Prop’rs. 


DECATUR,  ADAMS  COUNTY. 


7 


THE  EIGHTH  WONDER. 

During  the  last  Paris1,  exposition  there  was  upon  exhibition 
a wonderful  piece  of  skill  and  ingenuity,  a clock  made  by  Stephen 
Engle,  of  Hazelton,  Pa.  The  work,  when  complete,  shows  con- 
clusively that  America  can  proudly  take  her  place  at  the  head  of 
nations  for  inventions  and  mechanical  skill.  The  following  is  a 
description  of  this  wonderful  clock.  All  the  figures  are  nine 
inches  in  height ; there  are  twenty-six  in  all.  When  the  hour  hand 
approaches  the  first  quarter  “Father  Time”  reverses  his  hour- 
glass and  strikes  one  on  a bell  with  his  scythe,  when  another  bell 
inside  responds,  then  childhood  appears.  When  the  hour-hand 
reaches  the  second  quarter  or  half-hour,  then  you  hear  two  strokes 
of  the  bell,  youth  apears  and  the  organ  plays  a hymn.  “Father 
Time”  strikes  two  and  reverses  his  glass ; then  two  bells  respond 
on  the  inside.  One  minute  later  a chime  of  bells  is  heard,  when 
a folding  door  opens  in  a lower  porch  and  one  at  the  right  of  the 
court,  when  the  Saviour  comes  walking  out,  and  one  by  one  the 
Apostles  come  forth  and  join  him,  as  well  as  the  three  Marys. 
As  the  Apostles  slowly  pass  the  Savior  they  bow  to  him,  with  the* 
exception  of  Peter,  who  turne  slowly  away;  then  the  cock  on  the 
right  flaps  its  wings  and  crows;  Satan  then  appears  above  at  a 
window  on  the  left  side,  the  figure  of  Justice  raises  her  scales; 
Judas,  as  he  advances,  does  not  look  upon  the  Savious  because 
the  devil  follows  immediately  after  him,  staying  long  enough  to 
see  that  Judas  is  all  right,  but  appears  six  times  at  different  places 
during  the  Apostles’  march.  At  the  third  quarter  Time  strikes 
three  blows  with  her  scythe  and  turns  his  hour-glass.  Manhood 
then  appears.  As  the  hour-hand  approaches  the  hour  four  bells 
are  heard  and  the  organ  plays  again  (a  different  tune).  Two 
minutes  after  old  age  appears,  Death  strikes  the  hour  with  a bone 
on  the  skull,  and  one  minute  after  the  procession  of  the  Apostles 
takes  place.  A truly  wonderful  piece  of  mecha'nicism  which  ranks 
as  the  eighth  wonder  of  the  world.  Yet  with  all  due  respect  to  a 
mechanical  mind,  there  are  other  inventions  which  should  be  con- 
sidered before  placing  the  laurels  upon  the  head  of  one  man. 
This  work  shows  careful  study  and  a very  ingenious  mind,  yet 
does  all  this  time  benefit  mankind?  Let  us  contrast  another  in- 
vention of  about  the  same  date,  1858.  A young  man  invents  a 
shoe  that  has  features  possessed  by  no  other  make.  It  is  well 
made,  perfect  fitting,  stylish  and  thoroughly  up  to  date  always. 
Forty  odd  years  he  continues  to  make  and  sell  these  goods,  the 


8 


DECATUR,  ADAMS  COUNTY. 


millions  of  people  who  found  ease  and  comfort  by  their  use  are 
benefitted.  These  goods  are  as  well  made  to-day  as  forty  years 
ago.  The  high  standard  set  then  has  been  maintained;  an  eniva- 
ble  reputation.  To  make  shoes  does  not  require  as  much  mechani- 
cal thought  as  it  does  to  make  a clock,  but  it  taks  sound  judgment 
and  business  sagacity  to  conduct  such  a business.  Therefore 
I claim  that  J.  B.  Lewis  and  his  “Wear  Resisters”  should  be 
awarded  the  palm.  That  his  “Wear  Resisted  are  the  eighth 
wonder  of  the  world  is  truth  without  question  and  their  remark- 
able footwear  can  be  bought  from 

HOLTHOUSE  & MOUGEY, 
Decatur,  Ind. 


H.  S.  PORTER, 

Light  and  Heavy  hand-made  Harness,  Carriage  Trimming 
and  Upholstering.  Horse  goods  of  all  kinds,  repairing  done.  I 
buy  and  sell  new  and  second-hand  goods,  stoves  ranges,  furniture, 
etc.  Also  Tents  and  Awnings.  Big  bargains,  big  satisfaction. 


THE  LYNCH  SPOKE  MANUFACTURNG  CO. 

Buys  Oak  and  Hickory  forrest  and  second  growth.  Have  their 
chair  factory,  which  is  a substantial  building  and  forty-six  by  one 
hundred  and  fifty  feet,  located  on  the  C.  & E.  R.  R.,  will  sell  or 
trade  the  entire  plant.  Also  have  some  very  fine  building  lots  for 
sale.  Call  on  or  address 

LYNCH  SPOKE  WORKS,  Decatur,  Ind. 


SHOES 

Almost  at  your  own  price  for  strictly  cash.  Tan,  willow, 
wine,  chocolate,  enameled  or  patent  leather  for  men,  women, 
misses  and  children,  men’s  Kangaroo  shoes,  all  grade  of  women’s 
low  shoes  and  all  other  shades  of  shoes  kept  in  a first-class  store. 
All  stock  warranted. 

GEORGE  ROOP,  Opposite  Hale’s  Ware  House. 


DECATUR,  ADAMS  COUNTY. 


9 


H.  F.  LINN, 

Contractor  and  Building  Carpenter. 

J.  S.  BOWERS  & CO. 

Our  complete  stock  of  Hardware,  Farming  Machinery, 
Wagons,  Buggies,  Surreys,  Sewing  Machines  are  worthy  of  in- 
vestigation. Call  and  get  our  prices.  We  will  not  be  undersold. 


Call  on  G.  W.  BARNETT 


For  a clean  shave  or  hair  cut. 


JOHN  A.  FETZER, 

Dealer  in  New  and  Second-hand  Bicycles.  Wheels  livery. 
Repairing  a specialty. 


BOSTON  STORE, 

Dry  Goods,  Notions  and  Groceries. 

ICUEBLER  & MOLTZ,  I.  O.  O.  F.  block. 


ERIE  RESTAURANT, 

Near  Erie  depot.  Warm  meals,  hot  coffee  and  lunch  at 
reasonable  prices.  Call  and  see  us. 


DeLONG  & CO. 


IO 


DECATUR,  ADAMS  COUNTY. 


MARIE  L.  HOLLOWAY,  M.  D. 

Office  and  residence  nearly  oposite  M.  E.  church,  No.  199 
Fifth  street,  first  door  north  of  Monroe.  Attention  given  to  both 
general  and  special  practice.  Specialties,  dieseases  of  women 
and  children. 


See  MOSER,  the  Lightening  Shadow  Catcher. 
Ground  floor  gallery,  one  square  south  of  Court  House. 


MISS  BECCA  STEEL, 

Leading  Modiste.  Parlors  over  Yager  Brothers,  east  side 
of  Second  street.  Ladies  desiring  good  fits  should  call.  All 
work  guaranteed. 


FORNAX  ROLLER  MILLS. 

I have  put  in  new  machinery  and  am  prepared  to  make  as 
good  flour  as  any  mill  in  the  state.  Keep  on  hand  bolted  corn 
meal,  rve  and  buckwheat  flour  and  spring  wheat  flour.  Mill 
feed  of  all  kinds  at  lowest  prices.  Give  me  a trial. 

H.  H.  BREMERKAMP. 

Call  for  Gold  Dust  or  White  Lily  Flour. 


Call  at  JOHN  ELIC 

For  Tile.  You  will  always  find  a good  assortment  and  Rock 
Bottom  Prices. 


DECATUR,  ADAMS  COUNTY. 


II 


ATTENTION!  Ladies  wishing  Milliner  Goods,  the  best, 
finest  and  latest  styles,  call  on 

ALICE  WAND  PETERSON, 

South  Second  Street. 


DIBBLE  & MEIBERS, 

City  Buss  and  Hack  Line. 


INDIANA  HOUSE. 


Rates  $1.00  per  day 


Mrs.  Man-  Beglin,  Prop. 


D.  H.  HUNSICKER, 

Dealer  in  Staple  Groceries  and  provisions,  corner  of  Monroe 
and  Eighth  streets. 


JOHN  KING  & SON, 

Builders  of  Carriages,  Buggies;  Wagons  and  dealers  in  Har- 
ness Goods,  Agricultural  Implements,  Carriages  and  Wagons. 
Repairing  a specialty.  Corner  First  and  Monroe  streets. 


Call  at  MYERS  & GILLICS 


Stone  Quarries,  for  your  stone. 


12 


DECATUR,  ADAMS  COUNTY. 


DRS.  NEPTUNE,  Brothers, 

Dentists,  Extracting  and  Bridgework  a specialty. 


J.  CLOSE  & SON, 

Watches,  Clocks,  Jewelry,  Silverware,  Musical  Instruments,  Etc. 

Call  on  MRS.  ANEZ  EGAN 
For  fine  Sewing  and  Dress  Making.  Second  street. 


D.  B.  THOMAS,  M.  D. 

Office  over  Paterson  & Burner’s. 


C.  S.  CLARKE,  M.  D. 

Office,  corner  Second  and  Madison  streets. 


A.  L.  DeVILBISS, 

Dentist,  I.  O.  O.  F.  block.  Professional  dentist.  Teeth  ex- 
tracted without  pain.  Especial  attention  given  to  bridge  work. 
Terms  reasonable.  Office,  Second  street,  over  Rosenthall’s 
clothing  store. 


DR.  COSTELLO, 

Office,  over  B.  J.  Terveer’s  hardware  store.  Residence, 
Third  street,  first  house  north  of  Monroe. 


DECATUR,  ADAMS  COUNTY. 


13 


Divorce  suits  avoided  and  married  life  made  happy  by  using 
Natural  Gas.  Supply  received  daily.  Quality  and  quantity 
guaranteed. 

LOGANSPORT  AND  WABASH  VALLEY  GAS  COMPANY 


YAGER  BROS., 

Druggists,  dealers  in  Drugs,  Medicines,  Toilet  Articles,  Sta- 
tionery, Wall  Paper,  Paints,  Oils,  Varnishes,  &c.  Prescriptions 
carefully  compounded.  East  side  Main  street. 


STAR  BAKERY  AND  RESTAURANT. 

Fruits  and  Oysters  in  season.  Leave  orders  for  bread  and 
Cakes.  JACOB  MARTIN. 


SH.OLTY  & QUINN, 

Attorneys  and  Counselors-at-Law,  rooms  1 and  2,  over 
Auth’s  Jewelry  store,  first  stairs  south  of  Hokhouse’s  shoe  store. 
Collections  a specialty.  Money  to  loan  and  insurance. 


PAUL  G.  HOOPER, 

Attorney-at-law.  Patents  a. specialty. 


L.  C.  DEVOSS, 

Attorneys-at-Law. 


GotoJ.  T.  COOT’S 

For  your  Pianos  and  Organs, 


14 


DECATUR,  ADAMS  COUNTY. 


ELLEN  RITTENHOUSE, 


Boarding  House,  south  side  Monroe  street. 


MANN  & BEATTY, 


Attorneys-at-Law,  I.  O.  O.  F.  Block. 


SUGAR,  REED  & SMITH, 


Attorneys-at-Law. 

FRANCE  & MERRYMAN, 

Attorneys-at-Law.  Office,  Nos.  I,  2 and  3,  over  the  Adams 
County  bank.  Collections  a specialty. 


SMITH  & CALLOW, 


Druggists,  The  Old  Dorwin  Durg  Store,  Established  1861. 


HARRY  T.  SHAWL, 

Dealer  in  Harness,  Robes,  Blankets,  Whips,  Curry  Combs, 
Brushes  and  all  things  found  in  a first  class  shop.  Repairing 
promptly  and  neatly  done. 


DECATUR,  ADAMS  COUNTY. 


15 


PETE  HOUTHOUSE, 

Clothing  Store.  We  always  have  what  you  are  looking  for, 
up-to-date  goods  at  up-to-date  prices.  Fancy  Dress  Goods  and 
Cloaks  in  endless  varieties.  Immense  assortments  in  Carpets, 
Lace  Curtains,  Window  Blinds  and  Rugs.  We  carry  the  best 
makes  from  reliable  manufacturers.  Reliable  manufacturers’ 
prices  guaranteed  to  be  the  lowest.  See  our  line  before  buying. 
No  trouble  to  show  you. 

JNO.  & W.  H.  NIBLICK,  Executors. 


OLD  ADAMS  COUNTY  BANK. 

Capital  and  surplus,  $125,000.  W.  H.  Niblick,  Pres.;  D. 
Studabaker,  Vice-Pres. ; R.  K.  Allison,  Cashier;  C.  S.  Niblick, 
Assistant  Cashier. 


JOHN  BUHLER, 

Manufacturer  of  Wagon  and  Buggy  Materials. 


Go  to  ROMBERG  & HART’S 

For  your  Livery. 


BURNS  & PATTERSON, 

Dealers  in  Buggies  and  Harness. 


PETER  STEIN, 

Manufacturer  of  fine  Cigars.  Brands,  "The  Favorite,” 
“Boquet,”  “Grand  Opera”  5c  Cigars. 


Call  on  GUS.  SCHLEGEL 

If  you  want  first-class  Blacksmithing  and  Horse  Shoeing. 


. D.  WISEHAUPT, 

Plumbing,  Steam  and  Gas  Fitter  and  dealer  in  Pumps  and 
Brass  goods,  Iron  and  Lead  Pipe. 


i6 


DECATUR,  ADAMS  COUNTY. 


HENRY  RICKE  & CO., 

Manufacturerer  of  Tile. 


WILSON  MERRIMAN, 

Carpenter,  Building  and  Contractor. 


All  kinds  of  Mattresses  made  to  order,  all  upholstering,  such 
as  Mattress,  Lounges  and  Chairs  repaired,  buggy  cushions  and 
tops  repaired  by  experienced  workmen. 

HENRY  DIEMER, 

Shop  on  Madison  street,  south  of  Court  House. 


JOHN  BAKER, 

Carpenter  and  Contractor 

When  you  want  a good  Shave,  Shampoo  or  a genuine  Bath, 
remember  the  only  place  to  be  accommodated  is  at 

JOHN  B.  MILLER. 


H.  P.  NIBLACK, 

Grand  Rapids  Barber  Shop,  located  on  Monroe  street,  near 
G.  R.  & I.  R.  R.Good  Hair  cuts  and  easy  Shaves.  Ladies’  and 
Children’s  work  a specialty.  Give  us  a call. 


DECATUR,  ADAMS  COUNTY. 


17 


\ 

i 


|T  PAYS  TO 
ENJOY  THE 
SECURITY  OF 
insurance  AGAINST 
FIRE 

EVERY  TIME. 

E.  F.  COFFEE,  Agent,  Decatur,  Ind. 


Call  on  MRS.  CARRIE  SUTHERLAND 
For  your  plain  and  fancy  sewing  and  dress  making.  Perfect 


fit  guaranteed.  Over  Democrat  office. 

[ 

THE  BURTE  HOUSE, 


Dell  Locke,  Proprietor. 


EVERETT,  HITE  & CO., 

Dealers  in  Groceries  and  Provisions,  corner  Second  and 


Monroe  and  Seventh  and  Monroe  streets. 

HUGHES’ 

Marble  Works. 


ONE  OF  THE  FINEST!  ! 

It  is  now  conceded  that  the  DECATUR  STEAM  LAUN- 
DRY is  one  of  the  BEST  and  most  convenient  laundries  in  the 
state.  None  but  skilled  labor  employed  and  all  work  turned  out 
is  strictly  first-class.  If  you  are  not  a customer  give  us  a trial. 
Corner  First  and  Monroe  streets.  Agents  wanted  in  all  towns. 

GEO.  TOWN,  Prop. 


i8 


DECATUR,  ADAMS  COUNTY. 


SPRANG  & TRUE, 

Dealers  in  Dry  Goods,  Notions,  Groceries  and  Queensware. 
Fine  holiday  goods  a specialty. 


DAN  ERWIN, 

Pianos  and  Organs,  Sheet  Music  and  books.  Also  head- 
quarters for  Bicycle  Sundries  and  Repairs. 


CITY  BAKERY  AND  RESTAURANT. 

Boarding  and  lodging.  Fruits,  vegetables  and  refreshments 
of  all  kinds.  Four  doors  north  of  Court  House. 

J.  S.  COLCHIN,  Prop. 


WOODWARD  & BALL, 

Dealers  in  Cheap,  Medium  and  Fine  Furniture,  China  Glass 
and  Queensware,  Onyx  Stands,  Banquet  Lamps,  in  fact  everthing 
kept  in  a first-class  furniture  store.  Call  in  and  see  us.  South 
Second  Street. 

If  you  want  a neat,  clean  shave,  hair  cut  or  shampoo,  call  on 

ADOLPH  HART, 

Under  the  Elm  Tree. 


I hereby  notify  the  public  that  I keep  constantly  on  hand  a 
full  assortment  of  fine  fresh  and  salt  meats,  dried  beef,  sausages  of 
all  kinds,  dressed  poultry  and  fresh  country-made  butter.  My 
personal  attention  is  given  customers.  Your  patronage  is  re- 
spectfully solicited.  Cash  paid  for  all  stock  that  can  be  used  in 
my  market.  JAMES  BAIN. 


B.  G.  LYNCH, 

Staple  and  Fancy  Groceries,  Notions  and  Queensware.  Monroe  St. 


DECATUR,  ADAMS  COUNTY. 


19 


HATS. 

All  kinds  of  Ladies’  Hats  in  straw  and  felt  cleaned,  dyed  and 
reshaped  into  the  best  and  latest  shapes.  Also  plumes  and 
ribbons  colored  at  reasonable  prices. 

SARA  SEGUR, 

Seventh  street,  opposite  G.  R.  & I.  Depot. 


Call  on  HENRY  VOGELWEDE 
For  your  Fine  Boots  and  Shoes  and  Rubber  Goods. 


MRS.  DR.  CALDERWOOD, 

Dressmaker,  with  Miss  Marker’s  assistance,  will  continue 
her  business  at  the  old  stand.  Second  street.  Give  us  a call. 


GERBER  & SPRUNGER, 

Pork  Packers.  Dealers  in  all  kinds  of  meats,  wholesale  and 
retail.  Office,  Madison  street.  Telephone  96.  Packing  house, 
First  street.  Telephone  81. 


DOCTOR  H.  E.  KELLER, 

Physio-Medical  physician  and  surgeon.  Office,  west  side 
of  Second  street,  opposite  National  bank.  Residence  on  Fourth 
street,  opposite  the  Catholic  church.  Lock  box,  144. 


E.  H.  LeBRUN, 

Veternary  Surgeon.  Treats  all  domestic  animals. 


JOHN  D.  BOLMER, 

Stone  and  Brick  Contractor. 


CHAS.  SETHER, 

Cigar  Manufacturer. 


20 


WILLIAMS,  ADAMS  COUNTY. 


HENRY  ZWICK, 

Proprietor  of 

BINGEN  CREAMERY, 
Coin  Produce  Bonn  sol  Sold. 


Dry  floods,  Groceries,  Notions, 
Boots,  Shoes,  Medicines,  Etc. 


il  Id  i!  ft  ll  Bi 


Call  on  or  address 


H.  Burning  & Son. 


We  keep  on  hands  of  our  own  manufactured 
Stock,  TILE  3 to  18  inches.  Also 
Good  Hard  Brick. 


MONMOUTH,  ADAMS  COUNTY. 


21 


MONMOUTH , 


Dillil  il  MR  III 

Also  owner  of  the 


MONMOUTH  GEAVEL  and 
SAND  BANK 


Call  on  me  when  in  need  of  anything  in 

my  line. 


C.  E.  BURR, 

AGENT  FOR 

The  G.  S.  Picket  Nursery, 

CLYDE,  OHIO. 


All  Stock  Guaranteed. 

When  in  need  of  anything  in  my  line  please 
send  me  a card  and  I will  call  and  see  you 
promptly. 


O.  E.  BURR. 


22 


MONROE,  ADAMS  COUNTY. 


C.  W.  HOCKER. 

Dealer  in 

Seneral  TTferc/iandise 

Manufacturer  of 


COILED  ELH  HOOPS, 

E-  G.  /\pd[ews, 

DEALER  IN 


Meats  and  Groceries 

Buys  all  kinds  of 


FAT  STOCK. 


MONROE,  ADAMS  COUNTY. 


23 


M.  L.  Ohrer, 

MONROE,  IND., 

DEALER  IN 

FLOUR,  MILL  FEED 

AND  GRAIN. 

J.  W.  HENDRICKS , 

General 

Merchandise 

Manufacturing 

Hardwood  Lumber  and 


HUB  BLOCKS. 


24 


PREBLE,  ADAMS  COUNTY. 


Linnemeiar  & Jaebker, 

WELL  DRILLERS 


Wells  when 


Call  and  give  ns  a chance  to  bid  on  yoiar 


work  and  we  will  Save  yon  Honey, 


BERNE,  ADAMS  COUNTY. 


25 


IR  YOU  WANT  A 

Chamber  Suit 
Spring;  Bed 
Mattress 

or  anything  to  be  found  in  a first-class 

FURNITURE  STORE 

consult  your  best  interest  and  call  on 

Stucky  & Schipdlef 

West  end  in  street.  BEH,  IND. 

Also  a full  line  of  book  cases,  side  boards, 
cupboards,  etc.  Baby  carriages  the 
finest  and  best  makes  and  latest  styles. 
The  finest  assortment  of  pictures  and 
moulding.  Fancy  rockers  at  lowest 
prices.  Bed  lounges  and  couches  of 
all  kinds. 


UNDERTAKING  A SPECIALTY. 


26 


BERNE,  ADAMS  COUNTY. 


Baumgartner  Brothers > 


DEALERS  IN 

\ 

General  Hardware 


YODER  & RIESEN 


Livery  and  Sale. 


BERNE,  ADAMS  COUNTY. 


27 


About  one  man  out  of  ten  can’t  be  expected  to  know 
that  we  are  headquarters  for 

Pure  Drugs, 

Patent  Medicines, 

Toilet  Articles 

Because  he  hasn’t  entered  our  store. 

WE'RE  AFTER  THAT  MAN 

WITH  A BIG  STOCK! 

WITH  LOW  PRICES! 

WITH  FAIR  DEALING! 

And  we  expect  to  get  his  trade. 

2£re  You  the  Tenth  Man? 

WE’RE  AFTER  YOU. 

HOFFH/IN  ™ QOTTSCMLK, 

DRUGGISTS, 

LINN  GROVE  AND  BERNE,  IND. 

WE  ARE  ALSO  HEADQUARTERS  FOR 


Gottschalk’s  Diarrhoea  Remedy, 

A sure  cure  for  Diarrhoea,  Dysentery,  Flux,  Cholera  Morbus, 
and  Summer  Complaint. 


QOTTSCMLK’S  CONDITION  POWDER. 


GOTTSCHALK’S  CONDITION  POWDER  is  no  ordinary  medicine 
but  when  fed  to  any  stock,  it  improves  the  health  and  appearance. 

A well  aninal,  when  fed  this  medicine,  can  perform  more  work  on  the  same 
feed.  It  improves  the  digestion,  purifies  the  blood  and  gives  tone  to  the  system 
and  the  muscles.  The  Condition  Powder  is  cheaper  by  far  than  any  other,  as 
half  the  dose  has  greater  effect.  EVERY  PACKAGE  WARRANTED. 


28 


BERNE,  ADAMS  COUNTY. 


Simison  & Solctner, 

THE  OLD  RELIABLE, 

LEADING  ** 

THE  PROCESSION 
IN  e*  e* 

General  Merchandise, 

Dry  Goods,  Notions,  Clothing,  Boots 
and  Shoes,  Groceries,  Provisions, 
Etc.  You  will  find  every  depart- 
ment in  our  store  completely 
stocked  with  seasonable  goods 
which  we  will  be  pleased  to  show 
you.  They  need  only  to  be  seen 
to  be  appreciated. 

We  invite  an  inspection  of  our 
stock. 

Yours  Respectfully, 

Sunison  <5c  Solc/ner. 


BERNE,  ADAMS  COUNTY. 


29 


WHAT  WE  HAVE  FOR  SALE: 

Shakers'  Liquid  Paints 
A large  collection  of  Wall  Paper 
A complete  line  of  Drugs 
and  Druggists'  Sundries 
Oils  for  all  purposes 
Groceries.*^ 


Qualities  Guaranteed,  -je-jx-jt-jt 
Prices  to  meet  Competion .-Jt-M-Jt-Jt 


TENQEL  & CRAIG, 

DRUGGISTS, 

,,OsAWest  Main  Street. 


30 


BERNE,  ADAMS  COUNTY. 


@k  iimtEik 

Jeweler  and  Optician. 

A NICE  SELECTION  OF 

Watches, Clocks,  Jewelry, 

Silverware,  Spectacls,  Etc. 

Also  Watches,  Clocks,  Jewelry  and  Spectacles 
Repaired. 

This  is  the  only  place  in  Berne  to  get  your  eyes 
tested,  and  fitted  with  the  required  glasses,  by  scien- 
tific methods,  same  as  practiced  by  the  best  Oculist 
in  our  large  cities.  If  you  have  any  difficulty  in  see- 
ing distinct,  headache  or  pain  in  the  eyes,  haue  your 
eyes  examined  and  see  for  yourself  how  much  your 
sight  can  be  improved.  No  case  will  be  too  difficult. 
Examinatiof  Free!  No  effort  is  made  to  sell  glasses 
to  those  not  in  need  of  them. 


If  Furniture  is  what  you 
want,  go  to  . . . 

LOUIS  GEHRIG, 

One  Square  North  ol  Wind  Pump, 

Who  will  sell  you  Furniture 
at  Reduced  Prices. 

REPAIRING  ft  SPECIALTY. 

LOUIS  GLHRIG, 


BERNE,  ADAMS  COUNTY. 


31 


Spi'ipgcj'  & Lehpiap 

Dry  Goods, 
Clothing 


and 

Boots  and  Shoes. 


c) 


32 


BERNE,  ADAMS  COUNTY. 


A.  T.  HAECKER, 

DEALER  IN 


Dry  Goods,  Groceries,  Boots,  Shoes, 

PANTS  AND  OVERALLS, 

Hat's,  Caps  and  General  Merchandise 

I carry  at  all  times  a full  line  of  fresh  goods. 

CALL  AND  SEE  HE. 

Respectfully, 


E.  T.  HAECKER . 


D.  S.  WITTWER, 

TirsllNIEEFR 

Tin  and  Steel  Roofs 

SPOUTMG  OF  ALL  KIMS  A SPECIALTY. 

DEALER  IN 

Traction  Engines  and  Threshers 

MiluJadkee  Movers  and  Binders. 


Come  and  see  me  before  buying  elsewhere. 


BERNE,  ADAMS  COUNTY. 


33 


We,  having  completed  our  Hachine  Re- 
pairing Shop,  are  now  ready  to  do  all  kinds 
of  Repairing,  such  as  Engines,  Threshers^ 
Saw  Mills  and  Harvesting  Hachins  of  all 
kinds. 

We  employ  only  skilled  workmen,  guar- 
antee our  work  and  save  you  money. 

We  also  have  in  stock  a full  line  of  Re- 
Repairs,  such  as  Valves,  Throttles,  Steam 
Gagues,  Etc. 

Respectfully, 


West  Main  Street. 


34 


BERNE,  ADAMS  COUNTY. 


COTTAGE  HOTEL, 

Opposite  G.  R.  & I.  depot,  Berne,  Ind. Rates,  $2.00  per  day. 

J.  M.  ROSE,  Prop. 


BORBRY  LEHMAN, 

Milliner}’. 

BANK  OF  BERNE, 

Incorporated  1891.  A.  A.  Sprunger,  President;  C.  A. 
Neuenschwander,  Vice  President;  Rud.  Lehman,  Cashier;  S. 
Simison,  Assistant  Cashier.  Capital,  $40,000;  surplus,  $30,000. 

BERNE,  IND. 


Compliments  of  D.  A.  GILLIOM, 

Dealer  in  all  kinds  of  Musical  Instruments,  Sewing  Machines, 
Findings  and  repairs.  The  celebrated  World’s  Best,  Weaver 
Organs  and  Pianos,  our  specialty.  West  end  Main  street, 

BERNE,  IND. 


BERNE,  ADAMS  COUNTY. 


35 


SPADE  & MESHBERGER, 

e 

Milliner  and  Dress-making. 


BERNE  STUDIO 

D.  L.  SHALLEY,  Photographer. 

All  sizes  and  styles  of  Photographs,  Hand  Crayons,  Water 
Color  and  Flash  Light  Pictures.  Frames  of  all  descriptions  at 
the  lowest  prices.  All  work  guaranteed. 


FAIKEL  BROWNE, 

Blacksmith  and  Repair  Shop. 


If  you  want  a nice  clean  shave  or  hair  cut  call  on 

* REISEN  BROS., 


BERNE,  IND. 


36 


GENEVA.  ADAMS  COUNTY. 


Wm.  He'fenbcrger 


TELEPHONE  9S8. 

ELLIS  & HELFENBERGER, 

MANUFACTURERS  OF 

IRON  AND  WIRE  FENCE. 

M . REED,  Farmland . Ind.,  162  to  n 2 S.  Senato  a at.,  indianapous,  ind. 

STATE  AGENT  POR  EASTERN  INDIANA 
AND  WESTERN  OHIO. 


KEEP  COOL. 

Call  for  PLACE’S  Ice  Cream  and 
Soft  Drinks.  Have  no  other. 
Write  for  prices  for 
Pic-Nics  and  Public  Gatherings. 


J.  W.  PLACE 


DECATUR,  IND 


GENEVA,  ADAMS  COUNTY. 


37 


J.  H.  RIEFF, 

THE  PROPRIETOR  OF  ONE 
OF  THE 

Largest  General  Retail  Stores 

IN  GENEVA. 


Everything  in  Dry  Goods,  Hats  and  Caps,  Shoes  and  Slippers, 
Ladies’  and  Hisses’  Fine  Shoes,  besides  an  extensive 
assortment  of  fine  Groceries. 

Everything  handled  by  Hr.  Rteff  is  of  the  best  quality  and 
sold  at  remarkably  low  prices.  His  motto  is  quick 
sales  and  small  profits. 

A large  number  of  clerks  are  employed  to  attend  to  the 
wants  of  his  many  patrons. 

Mr.  Rieff  is  fully  conversant  with  every  detail  of  his 
business  and  is  regarded  among  our  most  enter- 
prising important  trade  factors. 


J.  H.  RIEFF, 


GENEVA,  IND, 


38 


GENEVA,  ADAMS  COUNTY. 


Felix  & Co.’s  Fine  Shoes  for  Ladies  and  Misses. 

The  Baillec  Shoe  for  Children. 

The  Trojan  Shirt  Waist. 

Imported  and  Domestic  Dry  Goods. 

Lowry  & Geoble’s  Carpets. 

Balls,  Jackson,  Kahs,  Duplex  Corsets. 
American  Curtains  and  Portiers. 


WAITE  <&,  CO. 


■ji  Tireless  Toilers  for  Your  Patronage. 


The  Douglas  Shoe  for  rien  and  Boys. 

The  Bengal  Drillers  for  all  Men. 

The  Robbins  Hats  for  Men,  Boys  and  Youths. 

The  Cones  Boss  Pants,  Shirts  and  Overalls. 
Gold  and  Silver  Shirts. 

Trunks  and  Vaiises. 


Oldest  Dry  Goods  Firm  of 
QENEYfl,  1ND. 


UP-TO-DATE. 


GENEVA,  ADAMS  COUNTY. 


39 


DEALER  IN 


BOOTS  AND  SHOES . 


Ladies’  & Gents’  Furnishing  Goods. 


40 


GENEVA,  ADAMS  COUNTY. 


SHAMROCK  HOTEL, 

S.  O.  WELDAN,  Proprietor. 


HOHTHOUSE  & TETTMAN, 

Boots  and  Shoes  and  Rubber  Goods. 


Call  at  PETE  HOLTHOUSE  & CO.’S 

Clothing  Store  for  bargains. 


THE  BANNER  GROCERY 

S.  F.  BITEMAN  & CO., 

Dealers  in  Staple  and  Fancy  Groceries,  Provisions,  Fine 
Cigars,  Tobaccos  and  Notions. 


THOS.  DREW, 

Dealer  in  Harness,  Whips,  Robes,  and  everything  in  the 
harness  line.  * § ! 4 

GENEVA,  IND. 


Call  on  P.  I.  WATSON, 

Dealer  in  Fancy  and  Staple  Groceries  and  Provisions. 


GENEVA,  ADAMS  COUNTY. 


41 


WM.  FIEBOLS  & CO., 


General  Merchandise. 


GLOBE  RESTAURANT  AND  BAKERY. 


M.  E.  HUTTON, 

Wagon  and  Carriage  Manufacturer,  Blacksmith  and  Repair  shop. 


S.  W.  HALE, 

Dealer  in  Grain.  Established  in  1872. 


We  have  the  only  self-fitting  chart  in  town. 

MRS.  L.  FRITTS,  Dressmaker. 


HOLLA  WAY  & WELLS, 


Undertakers. 


42 


GENEVA,  ADAMS  COUNTY. 


THE  SUPERIOR  OIL  CO., 

Miners  of  Indiana  petroleum.  Those  concerns  which  are 
the  more  prominent  in  Geneva’s  upbuilding  are  the  first  to  receive 
consideration  in  a work  of  this  character.  One  that  we  will 
notice  is  the  Superior  Oil  Co.  This  concern  is  successor  to  the 
well-known  firm  of  Collins,  Hardison  & Leonard,  and  is  a recent 
incorporation.  It  is  officered  as  follows:  President,  C.  P.  Col- 

lins, of  Bradford,  Pa.;  vice  president,  J.  H.  Hardison,  of  Geneva; 
secretary,  Harry  Heasley,  Butler,  Pa.;  treasurer,  J.  R.  Leonard, 
Pittsburg,  Pa. 

This  company  is  composed  of  reliable  and  capable  business 
men,  who  jointly  represent  a large  amount  of  capital.  They  are 
among  the  heaviest  operators  in  the  Indiana  oil  field.  The  vice 
president  and  resident  manager  of  the  concern  is  J.  H.  Hardison, 
who  has  lived  here  four  years,  and  is  one  of  the  best  posted  oil 
men  in  this  field. 


GEO.  W.  HAMMA, 

Dealer  in  Furniture. 


C.  H.  BELL,.... 

Dealer  in  Staple  and  Fancy  Groceries. 


C.  HAVILAND, 

Dealer  in  Salt  and  Fresh  Meats. 


GENEVA,  ADAMS  COUNTY. 


43 


Call  on  F.  F.  GREGG, 


The  Geneva  Artist. 


JACOB  BUTCHER.  S.  A.  M.  BUTCHER. 

BUTCHER  & BUTCHER, 

Attorneys-at-law  and  Notaries  Public.  Collections  receive 
prompt  attention.  We  execute  pension  vouchers  with  the  greatest 
care  so  that  no  delay  to  the  pension  occurs  in  receiving  the  money 
on  the  same.Decendent  estates  a specialty.  Office  over  Aspry 
x&  Miller’s  drug  store, 

GENEVA,  INDIANA. 


THE  BANK  OF  GENEVA. 

Chas.  D.  Porter,  Cashier;  A.  G.  Briggs,  President;  S.  W.  Hale, 
Vice  President.  Directors — David  Studabaker,  Dan  Porter,  R. 
Ballison,  W.  H.  Niblick,  S.  W.  Hale,  A.  G.  Briggs,  Chas.  D. 
Porter. 


YOUR  TEETH 

Will  always  receive  the  most  careful,  scientific  treatment  at 
the  office  of 


DR.  H.  T.  WHITE, 

The  progressive  dentist  of  Geneva.  Fine  gold  work  a specialty. 
Opposite  the  post  office. 


INTRODUCTOTY. 


In  the  month  of  January  1896  my  Mother  was  visiting  me  at 
my  home  in  Decatur,  Indiana.  During  her  stay  she  said,  Martha, 
under  any  circumstance  never  bury  me  in  the  Miller  Cemetery, 
and  if  they  lay  out  the  new  cemetery  while  I am  living  I will 
remove  Papa  and  the  Children  there.  Little  did  I think  that  in 
less  than  three  weeks  it  would  be  left  to  us  to  select  a place  two 
weeks  from  the  next  Sabbath.  The  news  came  Mother  was 
found  dead  in  her  bed.  How  her  words  rang  in  my  ears.  Even 
now  I see  the  hand  that  was  raised  to  emphasize  her  words, 
“Never  under  any  circumstance  bury  me  in  the  Miller  Cemetery.” 
We  laid  her  in  the  Wells  Cemetery,  and  on  the  next  Friday, 
having  the  graves  prepared,  we  went  to  have  Papa  and  the 
Children  removed  when  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Alberson  said  they  would 
survey  and  lay  out  a cemetery  if  we  would  bury  there,  and  as 
the  sun  was  sinking  in  the  West  they  were  laid  away,  bringing 
Mother  back  the  next  day,  and  there  they  sleep  side  by  side  on 
the  hill  in  site  of  our  child-hood  home. 

It  is  done  then,  we  stop  to  think,  they  lay  in  an  open  field, 
it  is  like  making  a home  here  seventy  years  ago,  there  is  no  fence, 
no  nothing;  and  if  we  wait  for  the  sale  of  lots  to  improve  it  it 
will  be  years. 

I have  taken  this  plan  to  get  money  to  fence  it.  I have 
°sked  the  old  people  in  Adams,  Jay  and  Randolph  Counties  to 
write  their  histories  and  the  business  men  to  place  an  “ad”  in 
this  book  to  help  financiall}\  By  examining  this  book  you  will 
see  how  they  have  responded. 

I take  this  opportunity  to  thank  the  business  men  for  their 
aid  and  the  pioneers  for  their  promptness  and  kindness,  I wall  bid 
you  god  speed. 

Yours  truly, 

Mrs.  Martha  C.  M.  Lynch. 


library 

UNIVERSITY  of  ILLINOIS 

URBANA 


library 

UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 
URBANA 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


45 


CHAPTER  I. 

THE  FIRST  FAMILY  IN  JAY  COUNTY. 

On  the  15th  day  of  February,  1821,  Mr.  Peter  Studabaker 
and  Miss  Mary  Simison  were  joined  in  the  bonds  of  holy  wedlock 
at  the  house  of  the  Simison  family,  where  Fort  Recovery,  now 
Mercer  County,  Ohio,  now  stands.  The  newly  married  pair  re- 
solved to  go  still  farther  on  the  frontier  and  hew  out  for  them- 
selves a home  in  the  wilderness.  So  they  gathered  their  house- 
hold goods,  and  with  several  friends  entered  the  wilds,  soon 
striking  the  “Quaker  Trace”  leading  from  Richmond  to  Fort 
Wayne,  which  they  followed  until  they  reached  the  Wabash 
River.  This  spot  was  their  destination,  and  upon  the  low  bank, 
near  the  water’s  edge,  they  prepared  to  “camp.”  Cutting  four 
forked  poles,  they  drove  one  end  of  each  into  the  ground,  laid 
poles  and  brush  across  the  top,  and  their  camp  was  completed.  A 
fire  was  kindled  at  one  end,  by  which  the  young  wife  cooked 
supper  for  her  company — hei  first  experience  in  house,  or  rather 
camp-keeping,  by  herself.  Their  simple  repast  was  highly 
relished  and  soon  dispatched,  and  they  retired  to  rest,  blankets 
spread  upon  the  ground  serving  for  beds. 

Sleep  had  scarcely  calmed  the  wearied  company  when  they 
were  aroused  by  the  yells  of  a gang  of  approaching  wolves. 
Elsewhere  came  an  answering  howl,  then  another  and  another, 
till  the  forests  seemed  ringing  with  their  hideous  yells.  The 
howling  became  so  terrific,  the  dog  sprang  out  and  threatened  to 
give  battle,  but  soon  came  bounding  back,  panic  stricken,  and 
jumped  upon  the  nuptial  bed.  As  they  lay  there,  so  close  to  the 
bank,  they  could  see  about  a dozen  wolves  at  the  water’s  edge  on 
the  opposite  shore.  Soon  they  heard  the  sharp,  savage  snap  of 


46 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


wolf-teeth  near  their  bed,  and  glaring  eyes  shone  in  the  darkness 
within  six  feet  of  their  camp.  The  men  sprang  from  the  ground 
in  alarm,  seized  their  rifles  and  fired.  The  howling  pack  fled  in 
haste  and  did  not  return.  Again  the  men  lay  down,  and  soon 
“tired  nature’s  sweet  restorer”  calmed  their  fears,  and  they  slept 
soundly  till  morning — perhaps  dreaming  of  the  pleasant  homes 
and  dear  friends  of  their  childhood.  Thus  camped  and  slept  the 
first  white  family  that  ever  trod  the  wilderness  which  fifteen  years 
afterward  became  Jay  County. 

This  was  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  Samuel  Hall,  on  the 
south  bank  of  the  Wabash,  at  New  Corydon.  Soon  Mr.  S.  built 
a cabin,  “all  of  the  olden  time,”  and  into  it  they  moved,  with  the 
naked  earth  for  a floor.  This  cabin,  the  fist  home  of  that  now 
widely  known  pioneer  family — a rude  hut  twelve  by  sixteen,  of 
small  round  logs,  with  clapboard  roof  held  on  by  “weight  poles,” 
— was  the  first  civilized  dwelling  ever  erected  in  our  county.  Un- 
broken forests  were  on  every  hand  ; no  house  within  fifteen  miles 
— no  mill  or  store  in  thirty-five.  Their  only  companions  were 
Indians — their  only  foes  were  wolves. 

These  animals,  always  annoying  by  their  constant  howling, 
were  often  very  troublesome.  It  was  next  to  impossible  to  raise 
stock  of  any  kind.  Once  a wolf  came  up  to  the  house  in  open 
daylight,  to  attack  a calf,  when  Mrs.  S.  appeared,  and  it  ran  ofif. 
At  other  times  they  were  still  bolder.  One  night  a pack  attacked 
the  hogs.  Mr.  S.  went  out  with  his  gun,  his  wife  holding  a torch 
while  he  shot  at  them  five  times,  but  without  effect,  and  they 
came  still  nearer,  snapping  their  teeth  almost  within  reach.  They 
seemed  bent  on  an  attack,  and  the  entreaties  of  his  wife  prevailed 
on  him  to  go  into  the  house. 

Mr.  Studabaker  obtained  a livelihod  in  various  ways — prin- 
cipally by  hunting.  His  delight  was  to  be  in  the  wilderness,  be- 
yond the  reach  of  society  and  its  innovations.  He  loved  the 
quiet  grandeur  of  the  forest,  and  the  excitement  of  hunting  deer, 
squirrels,  otters,  wild  ducks,  wolves  and  bears,  possessed  to  him 
irresistible  charms.  The  game  he  killed  furnished  meat  for  his 
table  in  abundance,  and  of  the  rarest  kind.  But  they  had  other 
sources  of  income.  Even  at  that  early  day  many  travelers  passed 
along  the  “Quaker  Trace,”  and  they  all  stopped  to  enjoy  the  hos- 
pitality of  these  pioneers.  In  fact,  at  that  time  it  was  rather  a 
matter  of  necessity,  as  the  distance  in  either  direction  to  any 
other  house  was  a day’s  travel.  The  “Quaker  Trace”  was  so 
called  because  it  was  opened  and  traveled  by  the  Quakers  of 
Wayne  County,  on  their  way  to  Fort  Wayne  market. 

Mr.  S.  sometimes  traded  provisions  to  the  Indians  for  furs. 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


47 


and  by  selling  the  furs  added  something  to  his  income.  An  inci- 
dent of  this  kind  is  worth  relating. 

In  the  fall  of  1821,  Mr.  S.  and  Thomas  Robinson,  who  then 
lived  on  the  “Prairie,”  in  what  is  now  Adams  County,  went  to 
Greenville  and  got  some  flour,  and  bringing  it  to  the  Wabash,  dug 
out  a large  canoe  and  started  down  the  river,  to  sell  their  flour  to 
the  Miami  Indians,  in  a town  at  the  mouth  of  the  Mississinewa — 
one  hundred  miles  by  the  river  route,  and  a few  miles  above 
Peru,  Miami  County,  Indiana.  Easily  and  rapidly  they  glided 
down  the  smooth  waters  of  the  Wabash.  In  the  afternoon  of  the 
second  day  they  came  in  sight  of  the  town.  They  soon  saw  that 
the  Indians  were  on  a desperate  “spree,”  and  were  dancing,  sing- 
ing, yelling  and  fighting.  They  wisely  concluded  it  would  not  be 
safe  to  visit  the  town  that  night;  so  they  rowed  up  the  river  a 
short  distance,  anchored  their  canoe,  went  ashore  and  camped  for 
the  night.  The  next  day  they  went  down  towards  the  town. 
Robinson  staid  with  the  canoe,  while  Studabaker  went  to  nego- 
tiate a sale  of  the  flour.  The  first  Indian  he  met  was  a squaw, 
named  “Big  Knife,”  with  whom  he  was  well  acquainted.  She  told 
him  they  had  had  a terrible  time  the  night  before,  and  that  in  the 
fighting  several  Indians  had  been  killed,  and  that  they  were  then 
all  in  their  huts,  sleeping  off  the  effects  of  their  revelry.  He  in- 
quired if  any  of  the  men  were  sober.  She  replied  that  one  was, 
and  offered  to  conduct  him  to  the  hut  where  that  Indian  slept.  On 
their  way  through  the  village,  which  seemed  almost  deserted,  they 
passed  by  a young  Indian  who  was  lying  with  his  stomach  ripped 
open,  and  part  of  his  entrails  lying  upon  the  ground,  but  still 
alive.  They  went  and  aroused  the  sober  Indian,  who,  after  much 
painting  and  ornamenting,  went  with  Mr.  Studabaker  to  the 
canoe.  On  their  way  they  passed  the  wounded  Indian.  A 
squaw  was  sitting  by  his  side,  weeping,  replacing  the  entrails,  and 
with  an  awl  and  deer’s  sinew  was  sewing  up  the  horrible  wound. 
The  Indian  looked  at  the  flour,  and  pointing  to  the  sun  and  the 
western  sky,  said  that  when  the  sun  reached  such  a place  the 
Indians  would  get  hungry  and  come  and  buy.  At  the  appointed 
time  this  sober  Indian  came  down  to  the  canoe,  followed  by  the 
others,  each  of  whom  purchased  a small  quantity  of  flour.  Our 
adventurers  then  returned,  occupying  about  three  days  in  their 
up-stream  rowing. 

Thus  the  family  endured  very  many  severe  hardships  during 
their  stay  at  this  point  on  the  Wabash.  So  the  first  families  who 
settled  in  each  section  of  the  county  endured  privatations  and  trials 
which  would  have  overwhelmed  others  less  patient,  energetic  and 
brave.  To  the  comfortably  situated  residents  at  the  present  time 


48 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


these  trials  seem  almost  incredible.  Here  is  a leaf  from  the  life 
♦ of  Mary  Studabaker: 

Late  in  the  autumn  of  1822,  the  Indians,  as  they  were  some- 
times in  the  habit  of  doing,  stole  two  colts — rone  from  Mr.  Studa- 
baker, and  one  from  his  brother-in-law,  John  Simison.  In  the 
early  part  of  winter  Simison  came  to  Studabaker's,  and  the  two 
men  set  out  for  Wapakoneta,  Ohio,  in  search  of  the  colts  among 
the  Indians  of  that  country.  Before  leaving,  Mr.  Studabaker 
hired  a boy  from  the  settlement  to  stay  with  his  wife,  who  then 
had  a babe  only  three  months  old,  to  cut  the  wood  and  build  fires. 
The  men  had  been  gone  scarcely  an  hour  when  this  boy  proved 
treacherous,  and  left  Mrs.  Studabaker  and  her  child  entirely  alone. 
This  placed  her  in  an  alarming  situation.  Her  husband  expected 
to  be  absent  nearly  a week ; the  weather  was  very  cold,  and  she 
had  no  wood  and  but  little  strength.  She  was  fifteen  miles  from 
any  neighbors,  in  a wilderness  full  of  roving  gangs  of  Indians  and 
wolves.  The  prospect  was  a dreary  one.  She  saw  her  dangerous 
situation,  and  with  heroic  fortitude  resolved  to  do  her  utmost  ta 
save  herself  and  child.  She  devoted  herself  assiduously  to  chop- 
ping wood  and  building  fires.  Quite  naturally  she  sought  the 
kinds  of  wood  which  would  chop  the  easiest,  and  sometimes  cut 
“buckeye,”  the  poorest  of  all  wood.  This  made  it  difficult  to 
keep  good  fires ; but  she  managed  to  get  along  without  suffering 
much,  except  from  lonliness,  until  the  fifth  day,  when  the  weather 
turned  extremely  cold.  All  this  time  had  passed,  and  she  had  not 
seen  a human  being.  Even  the  sight  of  an  Indian  would  have 
gladdened  her  heart.  This  day  she  built  a fire,  but  it  would  not 
burn.  She  chopped  more  wood  and  piled  the  great  fire-place  full ; 
but  all  in  vain.  To  use  her  own  words,  “It  seemed  to  be,  as  it 
is  said  to  be  in  Greenland  sometimes,  too  cold  for  the  fire  to  burn.” 
Disheartened  and  despairing,  as  her  last  hope,  she  took  her  babe 
and  went  to  bed.  Here  they  must  lie  until  assistance  came,  or 
freeze  to  death!  But  the  kind  care  of  an  ever-watchful  Father  in 
Heaven  was  upon  her.  In  about  two  hurs  Mr.  Studabaker  came 
home,  bringing  the  stolen  colt.  He  soon  built  a large,  comfort- 
able, crackling  fire.  How  great  was  her  joy  at  this  very  op- 
portune rescue ! 

Mrs.  Studabaker  gives  the  following  account  of  the  survey 
of  this  part  of  Indiana  by  the  government  surveyors.  In  the 
winter  of  1821  and  1822  James  Worthington,  of  Columbus,  Ohio, 
son  of  Governor  Worthington,  accompanied  by  nine  assistants, 
came  to  Mr.  Studabaker’s,  and  made  their  home  with  him  during 
the  three  months  occupied  in  making  the  survey.  Having  two 
sets  of  instruments,,  they  operated  in  two  distinct  companies,  and 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


49 


surveyed  the  territory  now  making  the  counties  of  Jay,  Adams  and 
Wells.  They  gave  Mr.  Studabaker  a plat  of  their  survey,  which 
was  very  useful  to  the  early  settlers  for  many  years. 

About  forty  rods  below  Hall  & Arnett’s  mill,  at  New  Cory- 
don,  is  a tree  on  which  many  dates  have  been  cut,  and  among 
others  the  figures  “1822.”  They  are  now  grown  up,  so  as  to  be 
barely  visable,  and  have  every  appearance  of  having  been  put 
there  at  that  time.  It  is  quite  likely  the  work  of  the  government 
surveyors. 

The  first  person  born  in  Jay  County  was  Abram  Studa- 
baker. He  was  born  in  the  little  cabin  on  the  Wabash,  Sep- 
tember 29th,  1822,  a child  of  the  wilderness — the  first  born  of  the 
family  and  of  the  county.  His  life  was  but  a blossom,  having  died 
March  nth,  1824,  at  Fort  Recovery.  Another  son  was  afterward 
given  the  same  name. 

Mr.  Studabaker  moved  to  the  Wabash  witl^  the  intention  of 
making  that  his  permanent  home;  but  the  frequent  overflows  of 
the  river  at  that  time  discouraged  him,  and  finally  led  him  to  move 
away.  One  evening  in  the  spring  of  1822  several  travelers 
stopped  to  stay  all  night.  The  Wabash  was  quite  high,  but  not 
unusually  so.  Mrs.  Studabaker  made  a bed  on  the  floor,  in  which 
the  travelers  retired  to  rest.  In  the  night,  one  of  them  thought 
he  felt  rather  ‘‘moist,”  and  on  turning  over  found  the  puncheons 
were  floating.  They  got  up;  one  went  up  in  the  "loft,”  and  the 
other  concluded  to  nap  the  rest  of  the  night  away  on  the  logs  of 
wood  by  the  fire  place.  But  the  family,  being  more  fortunate, 
were  on  a bedstead,  and  slept  there  until  morning,  when  they 
found  all  the  puncheons  except  the  two  on  which  the  bedposts 
rested,  floating  about  the  room.  Mr.  Studabaker  waded  out  and 
brought  his  canoe  into  the  house,  and  took  his  family  to  dry  land 
in  the  woods,  where  they  camped  until  the  water  went  down, 
which  was  in  four  or  five  days.  In  this  way  the  Wabash  over- 
flowd  the  land  about  his  cabin,  and  he  moved  back  to  Fort  Re- 
covery, having  lived  in  Jay  County  about  two  years. 

Mary  Studabaker  has  been  a pioneer  all  her  life.  She 
was  bom  March  16th,  1796,  in  Sherman  Valley,  Penn.  At  the  age 
of  two  years  her  father,  John  Simison,  moved  to  Kentucky  and 
settled  within  six  miles  of  Lexington.  Residing  there  six  years, 
they  moved  to  Warren  County,  Ohio.  After  living  there  ten  or 
twelve  years,  they  moved  to  Greenville,  and  from  there,  in  the 
spring  of  1817,  to  Fort  Recovery.  There  was  not  a single  family 
living  in  the  region  of  the  Upper  Wabash.  They  were  the  first 
pioneers  of  Fort  Recover}' — that  place  so  celebrated  in  history 
as  the  scene  of  St.  Clair’s  defeat,  and  Marv  was  afterward  of  Jay, 


50 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


and  still  later  of  the  south  part  of  Adams  County.  There  was  a 
trading  house  then  at  Fort  Recovery,  built  by  David  Connor.  It 
was  about  twelve  feet  square,  and  surrounded  by  pickets — logs  set 
in  the  ground  reaching  about  eight  feet  high — as  a protection 
against  the  Indians.  Into  this  house  John  Simison  and  family 
moved.  Mr.  Simison  farmed  the  ground  upon  which  the  town 
is  now  built,  while  his  boys  did  the  hunting.  He  raised  most  of 
the  living  for  the  family,  but  had1  to  go  to  Greenville  to  find  a 
store  and  mill.  He  had  a hand  mill,  and  sometimes  ground  on 
that. 

It  was  while  living  here  that  the  Treaty  was  made  with  the 
Indians,  October  6th,  1818.  Dr.  Perrine,  of  Greenville,  attended 
that  meeting.  Starting  in  the  morning,  on  foot,  he  expected  to 
reach  Simison’s  that  evening;  but  night  overtook  him  while  he 
was  in  what  is  now  Madison  Township.  Finding  he  must  camp 
out,  he  was  much  alarmed  lest  the  wolves  should  devour  him. 
Coming  upon  a much-broken  tree-top,  he  set  about  building  a 
camp  that  would  protect  him.  Out  of  the  broken  limbs  he  built 
a very  small,  oval-shaped  pen,  leaving  a hole  at  the  bottom.  Into 
this  he  crept,  and  drew  a stick,  prepared  for  the  purpose,  into  the 
hole  after  him,  thus  effectually  blocking  all  entrance.  Curling  up 
there,  he  slept  soundly.  Some  time  after  this  Thomas  Robinson 
settled  beside  Mr.  Simison — then  soon  moved  to  Adams  County. 

But  sorrow  was  in  store  for  this  family.  Mrs.  Simison  died 
in  September,  1820,  and  on  the  last  day  of  that  ever-memorable 
year,  she  was  followed  by  her  husband.  His  burial  took  place  on 
New  Year’s  day,  1821.  Thomas  Robinson  and  Peter  Studabaker 
happened  to  be  there  at  the  time  of  his  death,  and  making  a rough 
box  which  had  to  answer  for  a coffin,  they  buried  their  pioneer 
friend.  But  for  the  fortunate  presence  of  these  men,  none  beside 
the  mourning  orphans  would  have  been  there  to  perform  the  last 
sad  offices  for  the  lamented  dead. 

In  a few  weeks  Mary  was  married,  and  entered  upon  her 
brief  life  of  trials  in  Jav  County.  After  moving  back  to  Fort  Re- 
about  twelve  years,  when  he  moved  to  Adams  County,  where  he 
died  June  15th,  1840.  He  was  born  in  1790,  in  Moreland  County, 
Pennsylvania.  Mary  now  lives  with  her  son  Abram,  in 
Adams  County,  Indiana,  in  a log  house,  with  one  of  those  great 
old-fashioned  cabin  fire  places,  which  so  abundantly  dispense 
warmth  and  cheerfulness  to  the  inmates.  It  is  about  sixty  feet 
from  the  river,  upon  the  banks  of  which  she  has  lived  since  her 
childhood  days,  nearly  half  a century.  By  the  side  of  its  quiet 
waters  she  was  wooed  and  won,  and  has  devotedly  braved  many 
dangers,  reared  a large  family,  and  followed  her  husband  and 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


51 


several  children  to  the  silent  tomb.  She  is  now  seventy-four 
years  of  age,  and  though  in  feeble  health,  her  mind  still  retains  its 
original  vigor.  Strong  common  sense,  quick  perception  and 
good  judgment  are  her  characteristics.  Indeed,  without  these 
qualities,  she  could  not  have  passed  through  so  rugged  and  event- 
ful a life.  Her  son,  Hon.  David  Studabaker,  has  resided  for 
many  years  in  Decatur,  Indiana,  where  he  has  been,  and  still  is, 
a prominent  attorney.  He  has  represented  that  county  in  the 
Legislature  of  the  State,  and  was  for  four  years  the  State  Senator 
from  that  district  composed  of  the  counties  of  Jay,  Adams  and 
Wells,  in  which  position  he  sustained  himself  with  credit. 


52 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  II. 


JESSE  NIBLICK. 

Jesse  Niblick,  one  of  Decatur’s  early  settlers  and  honest,  re- 
spected and  honorable  influential  citizens  has  passed  awav.  His 
death  occurred  Sunday  night  near  the  midnight  hour,  and  many 
were  the  words  of  sympathy  and  regret,  when  the  announcement 
grew  into  circulation  at  an  early  hour  Monday  morning,  October 
6th,  1896.  He  had  been  ailing  for  several  weeks,  yet  his  confine- 
ment to  his  home  was  less  than  a week,  and  while  many  of  his 
friends  and  acquaintances  knew  he  was  sick,  yet  they  were  un- 
prepared for  the  shock,  which  accompanied  the  announcement  of 
his  death.  He  had  been  a pillar  in  the  foundation  of  so  many 
creditable  business  enterprises,  and  a leader  in  all  these  since  the 
formation  of  the  county  and  city,  that  it’s  but  little  wonder  that 
he  was  known,  loved,  honored,  respected  and  admired  by  every 
man,  woman  and  child.  But  death  is  no  respector  of  persons,  so 
we  will  simply  abide  its  decisions  and  console  ourselves  by  trying 
to  emulate  his  many  virtues. 

The  deceased  was  born  in  Carroll  County,  Ohio,  although 
his  father  was  a native  of  Ireland.  His  parents  located  in  Adams 
County  in  1836,  at  which  time  Jesse  was  ten  years  of  age.  This 
date  takes  us  back  to  the  time  when  Adams  County  was  a dense 
and  unbroken  wilderness,  which  has  now  been  transformed  into 
a region  of  thrift  and  prosperity,  by  the  untiring  zeal  and  energy 
of  such  enterprising  citizens  as  Mr.  Niblick.  He  has  seen  the 
trails  of  the  trapers  and  hunters  give  place  for  railroads  and 
vehicles,  the  cabins  and  garden  patches  succeeded  by  comfortable 
houses  and  board  fields  of  waiving  grain,  the  additions  of 
churches,  school  houses,  and  every  other  conceivable  institution 


JESSE  NIBLICK. 


LIBRARY 

UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 
URBANA 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


53 


that  tended  to  broaden  the  mind,  extend  the  markets  of  com- 
merce, trade  and  traffic,  and  make  the  history  of  Adams  County 
of  such  thrilling  interest,  grand  practical  results,  and  lessons  that 
now  may  be  perused  with  profit  by  the  present  Adams  County 
generation,  and  by  citizens  of  other  regions. 

In  1846  Mr.  Niblick  engaged  in  the  boot  and  shoe  business, 
being  then  twenty  years  old.  This  business  he  was  engaged  in 
until  1 866,.  having  been  more  than  successful  in  building  up  trade 
and  a reputation  of  honesty,  that  has  been  beneficial  to  him  in 
various  ways  ever  since.  That  reputation  has  been  worth  more 
to  him  than  all  the  gold  in  the  universe.  In  these  later  years  it 
no  doubt  has  been  a source  of  satisfaction  and  gratification  to  him 
to  know,  that  after  a life  time -devoted  exclusively  to  business  and 
its  various  competition,  he  is  able  to  extend  the  right  hand  of 
fellowship  to  all  those  whom  he  has  come  in  contact  with,  all  these 
years.  In  18 66  he  connected  himself  with  John  Crawford  in  a 
general  merchantile  business,  under  the  firm  name  of  Niblick  & 
Crawford.  Several  years  later  the  firm  was  extended  to  Niblick, 
Crawford  & Sons,  a son  of  each  having  been  taken  into  the 
partnership.  This  firm  existed  until  some  seven  years  ago,  when 
it  again  changed  to  Jesse  Niklick  & Son,  and  which  firm  is  still 
doing  business,  being  one  of  Decatur’s  prominent  businesc  in- 
stitutions. 

In  1871  Niblick  & Nuttman  engaged  in  the  banking  business 
in  the  name  of  the  Adams  County  Bank.  Later  it  was  organized 
under  the  state  laws,  and  Mr.  Niblick  became  a airector  and  its 
first  president.  He  was  still  a director  in  the  bank  at  the  time  of 
his  death.  This  bank  is  also  identified  as  one  of  the  most  solid 
and  prominent  banking  houses  in  the  state.  Thus  it  will  be  seen 
that  every  business  enterprise  in  which  Mr.  Niblick  was  engaged, 
prospered  and  thrived,  much  of  this  thrift  being  due  to  the  ex- 
cellent business  judgment  and  ideas  advanced  by  Mr.  Niblick. 

Politically  the  deceased  always  cast  his  suffrage  with  the 
Democratic  party,  being  at  all  times  one  of  the  chief  promoters 
and  organizers.  In  1848  he  was  elected  trustee  of  Washington 
Township,  and  from  1865-8  he  very  efficiently  filled  the  office  of 
County  Treasurer.  He  was  always  enthusiastic  in  his  support  of 
the  party,  at  the  same  time  respecting  in  the  greatest  degree  the 
opinions  of  his  friends  and  others  who  chose  to  dier  with  him  in 
political  preferment.  He  was  also  a public  spirited  citizen,  and 
always  devoted  time,  aid,  money  and  advice  to  any  movement  or 
project  that  had  a tendency  towards  advancing  the  progression 
of  this  city  and  county,  to  both  of  which  he  was  very  devotedly 
attached. 


54 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


In  1851  he  was  married  to  his  present  bereaved  widow.  Her 
maiden  name  was  Catharine  Closs,  a native  of  Germany.  Their 
lives  together  have  been  one  continued  line  of  sunshine  and  de- 
votional happiness,  which  had  much  to  do.  with  the  kind-hearted 
manifestations  on  every  demanded  occasion,  by  the  deceased. 
In  her  present  breavement  Mrs.  Niblick  is  joined  by  seven 
children,  one  having  already  passed  into  that  world  on  high, 
William  Niblick,  president,  and  Charles,  assistant  cashier  of  the 
Old  Adams  County  Bank;  John,  James  K.  and  Daniel  M.  being 
associated  with  him  in  business,  and  Mary  and  Amelia,  who  reside 
at  home,  comprise  the  family  who  are  now  grieved  beyond  ex- 
pression at  the  death  of  their  long  cherished,  honored  and  rever- 
enced counsellor  and  advisor.  To  him  they  have  come  with  many 
preplexities  which  he  has  gladly  solved.  Now  they  will  have  to 
profit  by  the  dictates  of  his  past  life,  which  is  a worth  example  to 
follow  and  emulate. 

The  funeral  services  were  conducted  yesterday  morning.  As 
a mark  of  respect  to  the  deceased  every  business  house  in  the  city 
was  closed  during  the  services,  and  people  from  all  over  the 
county  came  in  to  pay  him  homage.  It  was  perhaps  the  largest 
gathering  of  people  ever  assembled  to  pay  their  last  respects  to  the 
dead.  And  they  were  all  friends ; friends  with  whom  the  deceased 
had  been  associated  for  years,  and  not  for  a day.  They  knew  him 
and  they  loved  him.  It  was  a fitting  tribute  to  a long  life  of  use- 
fulness and  honor.  The  pall-bearers  who  conveyed  the  remains 
to  its  last  resting  place  was  composed  of  R.  B.  Allison,  David 
Studabaker,  John  Meibers,  John  Shane,  Conrad  Brake  and 
Ezra  Lister,  all  old  associates  of  the  deceased,  who  had  known 
him  for  half  a century. 

He  was  born  August  12th,  1826;'  died  October  6th,  1895, 
being  aged  sixty-nine  years,  one  month  and  twenty-four  days. 
Funeral  services  were  held  at  the  St.  Mary’s  Catholic  church,  and 
that  large  structural  auditorium  would  not  hold  half  the  sympa- 
thizing friends  who  sought  admission.  Interment  in  the  St. 
Joseph  cemetery. 

So  ends  the  life  of  our  beloved  and  honored  friend  and  citizen. 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


55 


CHAPTER  III. 

M.  V.  B.  SIMCOKE’S  BY-GONE  DAYS. 

I will  give  briefly  the  joys  and  sorrows  that  were  and  is  now 
experienced  in  youth  and  old  age. 

I am  a native  of  America,  and  proud  of  it.  I was  born  April 
nth,  1836,  near  Livingston,  Overton  County  Tennessee. 
The  oldest  son  of  James  B.  and  Elizabeth  Simcoke  (deceased). 
The  father  a native  of  North  Carolina,  the  mother  a native  of 
Tennessee.  Their  marriage  occurred  in  March,  1835.  Five 
children  were  born  to  them,  two  boys  and  three  girls,  the  sub- 
ject herself  and  Andrew  Jackson,  Victoria,  Mary  Brady,  and 
Elizabeth.  Victoria,  (now  Mrs.  Hill),  who  resides  in  Decatur, 
was  born  in  Tennessee  in  1838.  Andrew  Jackson  was  born  in 
Columbia  City,  Ind.  He  learned  the  printing  trade  and  was 
working  in  the  printing  office  when  he  concluded  that  it  would  be 
better  to  fight  for  his  country,  in  the  late  rebellion,  than  setting 
type,  and  enlisted  in  the  13th  Indiana  Cavalry  as  an  orderly,  but 
soon  received  a lieutenant’s  commission.  He  contracted  con- 
sumption and  died  on  board  a gunboat  on  the  Mississippi  River. 
Mary  Brady  was  born  in  Decatur,  and  at  present  lives  in  Chicago. 
Sister  Elizabeth  was  born  in  Decatur,  and  died  early  in  life.  There 
are  only  three  of  the  family  living.  We  were  all  raised  in  Decatur. 
My  father  and  family  left  Tennessee  for  the  north  in  the  year  of 
1841,  landing  in  Richmond,  Ind.,  remained  there  a short  time 
thence  moved  to  Whitley  County,  Ind.,  arriving  there  in  wagons 
after  many  days’  hard  traveling,  we  settled  in  the  almost  dense 
forrrest,  but  the  county  seat,  called  Columbia  City,  among 
Indians  and  wolves ; very  few  white  people  were  there,  the  county 
sparsely  settled.  Father  was  a physician  and  had  some  practice 


56 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


among  the  Indians  and  the  few  whites,  until  he  was  selected  and 
elected  sheriff  and  served  one  term.  In  the  spring  of  1844  he 
concluded  to  move  to  Adams  County,  getting  there  with  many 
difficulties.  He  settled  in  Decatur,  Ind.,  where  he  engaged  in 
clearing  land  in  the  summer  and  teaching  school  in  the  winter, 
until  the  year  1846,  when  he  was  chosen  and  elected  sheriff,  and 
served  one  year.  In  the  year  1846  he  was  chosen  and  elected 
Treasurer  of  Adams  County  and  served  two  terms.  In  the  year 
1852  (his  wife)  my  mother  died.  The  following  year  he  moved 
with  his  children  to  Cincinnati.  The  object  was  to  school  them 
and  attend  law  school  himself.  After  father  graduated  in  law  at 
the  Cincinnati  Law  College,  he,  with  his  family,  returned  to 
Decatur,  he  having  married  in  the  meantime  an  estimable  widow 
lady  who  resided  near  Decatur,  with  four  children,  who  is  now 
dead;  also  three  of  the  four  children.  One  survives  them  all, 
Mrs.  Mary  Eley,  now  residing  in  Decatur.  In  the  year  1853, 
father  was  elected  County  Clerk  and  served  two  terms  or  eight 
years.  In  the  year  1868  he  left  Adams  County  and  emigrated  to 
California.  There  he  met  with  business  reverses  and  disappoint- 
ments, and  soon  returned  to  his  old  home,  Decatur,  and  remained 
with  us  until  1873,  when  he  left  us  and  returned  to  his  native  state, 
North  Carolina:  from  there  to  Tennessee.  He  made  that  his 
home  until  his  death  at  the  age  of  nearly  80  years,  and  was  buried 
on  his  own  plantation  in  Jackson  County,  Tennessee. 

To  write  a history  of  a fellow’s  own  life  is  a pretty  hard  task, 
as  there  are  so  many  thoughts,  all  conglomerated.  Yet  I will 
pen  those  that  will  be  interesting  to  myself  and  family  and  a few 
others  who  may  scan  this  that  will  recollect  the  transactions.  A 
full  history  of  my  career,  either  private  or  public,  would  be  a novel 
therefore  I shall  not  enumerate  all  the  events  of  my  life.  The 
first  distinct  recollection  of  this  turbulent  world  was  when  I wore 
a little  red  cape  and  shoes  and  scarlet  dress.  Red  seemed  to  be 
the  color  of  the  southern  people.  Yet  I did  not  eminate  from  Great 
Britain  (directly.  The  next  recollection  was  when  I saw  the  first 
Indian,  which  I feared  then,  and  even  now.  I remember  my 
mother  breaking  flax  and  spinning  it,  the  tow  pants  I wore,  the 
knit  suspenders,  the  red  top  boots ; and  I’ll  never  forget  the  willow 
switch  she  wielded  on  my  tow  covered  back  for  my  unfaithfulness. 
The  many  times  I accompanied  mother  to  the  huckle  and  cran- 
berry patches,  where  now  stands  the  best  business  part  of  Colum- 
bia City.  I well  remember  the  log  cuttings  and  rollings  there, 
the  majority  of  the  help  being  Indians.  On  these  occasions 
there  were  no  jangling,  fighting  or  getting  drunk,  as  I have  wit- 
nessed in  later  days  among  those  that  were  considered  civilized 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


57 


Christians.  The  first  school  I ever  attended  was  in  an  old  log 
house  at  Columbia  City.  The  school  was  taught  by  James  H. 
Smith,  known  as  “Dandy  Jim.’’  He  followed  us  to  Adams 
County  and  taught  school  in  Decatur,  where  I also  attended.  The 
next  important  recollection  I have  of  this  mundane  sphere  was 
when  we  were  on  our  road  moving  to  Decatur  from  Columbia 
City.  We  stayed  all  night  at  Fort  Wayne.  I discovered  a crowd 
of  boys  and  men  on  the  street,  listening  to  the  music  of  the  fife 
and  drum.  I went  to  the  crowd,  and  had  not  been  there  but  a few 
minutes  when  I was  surrounded  by  a crowd  of  boys.  I seemed 
to  be  a curiosity,  and  I concluded  at  once  that  I would  soon  have 
to  fight  or  rum,  and  it  was  for  life  or  a licking.  I concluded  to  run 
— I run.  The  camping  out  on  the  road  to  Decatur  was  Gypsy 
like,  but  we  were  compelled  to  do  so,  and  were  several  days  on 
the  road  before  we  reached  our  destination,  where  we  landed 
about  noon,  and  anchored  on  the  lot  now  the  southeast  corner  of 
Third  and  Monroe  streets  . We  remained  there  until  we  moved 
to  the  jail  house,  (I  mean  the  sheriff’s  residence). 

My  acquaintance  with  the  populace  of  our  adopted  town  grew 
rapidly,  especially  with  the  boys  and  girls  of  the  village.  The 
first  boy  I became  acquainted  with  was  DeWitt  C.  Rugg,  a youth 
near  my  own  age.  My  mother  sent  to  a well  near  by  for  a 
bucket  of  water.  There  I met  young  Rugg  holding  a large 
gourd  dipper.  He  remarked  to  me:  “Say,  boy,  how  would  you 

like  to  be  baptized?”  At  the  same  time  and  moment  he  dashed 
the  contents  of  the  dipper  on  my  frame.  I concluded  I was  about 
drowned.  When  I recovered  from  the  shock  an  engagement 
ensued  with  fists,  stones  and  clubs.  When  the  smoke  of  the 
battle  had  cleared  away,  we  discovered  our  faces  were  bloody  and 
scratched.  My  new  calico  vest  was  in  shreds.  I found  also  a 
knot  on  my  cranium,  made  by  a blow  from  the  old  gourd  dipper. 
Of  course  the  dipper  was  ruined.  That  scrap  made  us  fast  friends 
unto  nanhood.  Another  little  incident  occurred  when  I was  a 
sprightly  youth.  The  Smith,  alias  “Dandy  Jim,”  referred  to 
above,  was  teaching  school.  All  the  village  youngsters  attended 
said  school,  including  myself  and  one  Susanah  McLeod,  that  was 
my  spouse,  and  of  course  I paid  my  honors  to  her  during  school 
hours.  We  would  write  small  thumb  paper  letters  and  pass  them 
to  each  other.  The  teacher  secured  one  of  the  cupid  letters.  He 
called  me  upon  the  floor,  also  the  young  damsel  in  question,  and 
related  to  us  that  our  courtship  had  went  on  long  enough,  and 
we  must  be  manned.  He  ordered  us  to  catch  hands,  which  was 
done  with  fear  and  trembling.  The  said  “Dandy  Jim”  went 
through  a pow-wow  and  pronounced  us  man  and  wife.  The 
school  generally  concluded  that  we  were  married  in  fact.  In  the 


5» 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


evening  of  that'  day  the  boys  and  young  men  of  the  village 
marshalled  with  all  the  old  tin  pans,  horns,  &c.,  and  visited  our 
homes  and  belled  us  completely.  The  grown  brothers  of  my 
Susanah  were  awaiting  the  coming  of  the  mob,  and  at  last  they 
reached  the  home  of  the  girl,  when  the  brothers  used  their  whips 
to  a good  purpose,  and  some  of  the  boys  remembers  well  the  time 
yet,  as  they  did  not  attend  school  next  day.  That  act  of  the 
teacher  caused  the  school  to  dwindle  away,  and  he  had  to  hunt 
other  quarters.  Whether  the  person,  Susanah,  is  living  I cannot 
say. 

The  following  occurrence  will  be  remembered  by  some  of  the 
readers  of  this  sketch.  About  the  time  the  declaration  of  war 
was  made  against  Mexico  (perhaps  1847)  one  Andrew  Lucky,  a 
young  single  man,  was  teaching  school  in  the  Court  House  in 
Decatur.  Of  course  all  the  village  children  attended.  The  his- 
tory class  was  out  on  the  floor  in  line,  reciting,  when  a knock  was 
heard  at  the  door.  The  teacher  responded  by  opening  the  door. 
There  stood  before  him  and  the  school  his  best  friend  and  chum, 
Joseph  Reynolds,  and  a recruiting  officer  in  his  military  clothes. 
They  invited  Mr.  Luckey,  our  teacher,  to  volunteer.  Mr.  Rey- 
nolds remarked  he  would  volunteer  also.  Without  hesitating  a 
moment  both  subscribed  theii*  names  and  was  sworn  in,  in  the 
presence  of  the  school.  He  dismissed  the  school,  and  bidding  the 
scholars  a good-bye,  with  tears  rolling  down  his  manly  cheeks. 
That  teacher’s  good-bye  still  rings  in  my  ears,  for  it  was  the  last 
god-bye  he  ever  proclaimed  to  us.  The  two  brave  and  patriotic 
young  men  never  returned;  they  fell  victims  to  disease  on  the 
Gulf  of  Mexico  and  were  buried  in  its  waters. 

Somewhere  about  the  year  1848  the  court  docket  will  show 
that  a most  horrible  murder  was  committed  in  Decatur,  it  being 
the  most  outrageous  act  ever  committed  in  the  county  up  to  that 
time,  and  was  a great  sensation  among  the  pioneers.  A young 
gentleman  (for  such  he  was)  and,  by  the  way,  a prosperous  mer- 
chant in  our  village  by  the  name  of  Hugh  Muldoon,  with  no  bad 
habits,  was  courting  and  paying  his  attentions  to  a Miss  Mary 
Foetick,  who  was  living  with  her  parents.  She  was  a beutiful 
young  lady  and  accomplished.  John  Foetick,  a brother  of  the 
said  Mary,  seriously  objected  to  their  wooing.  Soon  the  young 
couple  were  engaged  to  be  married,  the  day  fixed  and  arrived. 
The  invited  guests  were  on  hand.  The  said  brother,  John,  heard 
what  was  going  to  transpire.  He  approached  Mr.  Muldoon,  the 
intended  groom,  and  frankly  told  him  if  he  (Muldoon  attempted 
to  marry  his  sister  Mary,  he  would  kill  him.  Mr.  Muldoon  paid 
no  attention  to  the  threat.  The  party  was  in  waiting  for  more 
guests  to  arrive  at  her  parents’  home.  At  last  the  fatal  moment 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


59 


came.  The  pastor  asked  the  young  people  to  stand  and  join 
hands.  As  they  arose  and  joined  hands  before  those  good, 
honest,  unsuspecting  friends  and  neighbors  of  the  village,  the 
cowardly  assassin  rushed  in  the  room  and  pulling  a single-barreled 
pistol,  stuck  the  gun  to  the  breast  of  the  defenceless  man  and 
fired,  the  ball  penetrating  the  breast.  The  murdered  man  sprang 
upon  young  Foestick  and  weighed  him  down  to  the  floor  with  a 
death  grip  about  his  neck  and  would  have  choked  him  to  death  in 
a moment  had  not  Jacob  King  and  my  father  interfered  and  took 
Muldooon  off.  The  murdered  man  raised  to  his  feet  and  sprang 
through  a window.  He  ran  across  the  lot,  striking  a fence  and 
fell  dead.  It  wa9  supposed  he  was  unconscious  the  moment  he 
was  shot.  Foetick  gave  himself  up  to  the  sheriff,  was  imprisoned 
and  tried  by  a jury  of  pioneers  of  Adams  County,  and  set  at 
liberty.  Mr.  Foetick  left  the  country  and  never  returned  but 
once  since. 

You  can  imagine,  dear  reader,  what  jolly  times  us  little  ones 
had  away  back  half  a century  ago  at  Christmas  and  New  Year  time 
going  from  house  to  house  and  scaling  logs,  dodging  under 
brush  and  bushes,  that  stood  in  our  paths.  Our  mothers  were  as 
jubilant  as  the  children  those  days.  The  cakes,  pies  and  krulls 
were  baked  and  served  to  those  who  called  to  pass  the  Christmas 
or  New  Years  greeting.  One  little  incident  occurred  that  will 
never  be  forgotten  by  many  who  have  heard  the  story.  John  and 
David  King  and  myself  were  on  our  usual  rounds  one  Christmas 
morning,  the  mud  was  about  as  deep  as  it  could  get  those  days, 
that  winter  being  an  open  winter.  We  called  upon  one  Doctor 
Little.  The  doctor  was  in  bed,  but  responded  to  our  call.  He 
told  U9  he  had  got  us  presents,  but  they  were  in  his  office  (which 
said  office  stood  about  20  feet  away  from  his  residence.  He  came 
out  in  his  night  clothes,  which  made  him  look  little  like  a corpse. 
We  were  in  dread  and  fear  of  him  at  any  rate,  for  he  naturally 
looked  hideous,  but  we  followed  him  to  his  office  and  we  went  in 
the  office.  The  doctor  locked  the  door,  which  added  ten-fold 
more  fear.  Our  minds  began  to  reconoite  to  know  what  would 
become  of  us.  He  ghost-like  walked  across  the  room,  got  a 
board  and  reached  after  and  picked  up  a large  knife,  which  I 
supposed  to  be  a butcher’s  knife.  He  threw  the  board  across  his 
white  skeleton  legs  and  began  to  whet  the  supposed  knife  across 
the  board,  and  looking  up  at  us  with  a demonical  look  and  re- 
marked: “This  Christmas  morn  is  your  last  begging,  for  you 

will  have  to  die,  every  damn  one  of  you.”  The  only  exit  to  any 
advantage  was  a small  window  in  the  rear  of  the  office.  As  for 
myself  I did  not  await  to  hear  the  word  “die”  completely  finished. 
I landed  below  in  the  mud,  sash  and  all,  and  David  King  followed, 


6o 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


lighting  on  me  and  almost  burying  me  in  the  mud,  leaving  John 
in  the  hands  of  the  doctor  to  be  carved,  but  by  pleadings  of  the 
most  piteous  was  spared  and  was  released  at  the  door.  That 
settled  the  Christmas  fun  of  that  day.  I feared  the  doctor  so  long 
as  he  remained  in  Decatur,  and  us  boys  rejoiced  when  he  gave 
Decatur  adieu. 

The  natives  of  the  village  were  always  anxious  to  hear  news, 
and  delighted  when  a little  puppet  show  came  along  to  be  ex- 
hibited in  the  Court  House.  Everybody  that  could  raise  a dime 
attended  the  first  circus  that  ever  struck  Decatur.  I think  it  was 
the  Robison  show,  that  came  in  wagons  and  pitched  their  small 
tent  on  the  lot  next  to  the  Burt  house,  east.  Their  prices  wrere 
above  a dime,  and  we  boys  were  not  familiar  with  such  prices, 
consequently  we  started  a peep  show  outside  the  canvass. 
Occasionally  a boy  would  raise  the  canvass  and  pop  in,  but  would 
be  popped  out,  then  the  stones  would  fly;  as  we  called  it,  we 
peppered  the  show. 

Jacob  Closs  was  a shoemaker,  and  us  boys  would  bother  him 
a great  deal,  but  invariably  he  would  catch  us  and  give  us  strap 
oil  until  we  would  dance  with  rage.  I remember  well  when  John 
King  and  myself  visited  another  old  shoemaker  named  Philer. 
He  locked  us  up  in  a room  and  made  us  eat  raw  potatoes  for 
dinner  and  afterwards  gave  us  bompus  with  his  knee  strap. 
(Bompus  was  a licking.  He  called  it  bompus. 

The  first  steam  works  we  got  in  Adams  County  was  a steam 
saw  mill,  brought  to  Decatur  by  Samuel  L.  Rugg,  the  founder  of 
Decatur,  to  saw  plank  for  a plank  road  to  be  built  from  Fort 
Wayne  to  St.  Marys,  Ohio,  through  Decatur.  The  mill  was 
located  on  the  St.  Mary’s  river  southeast  of  the  Court  House, 
where  Si  Hammel’s  mill  is  located,  and  near  the  C.  & E.  R.  R. 
bridge.  There  was  one  Johnson,  a mill  wright  by  trade,  came 
along  to  finish  the  mill  and  he  told  the  people  of  the  many  acci- 
dents and  blow-ups  which  were  caused  by  steam  power  that 
caused  all  the  people  to  fear  the  business.  The  children  were  all 
warned  to  keep  away.  There  were  no  visitors  to  bother  the 
workmen  on  account  of  the  danger.  At  last  the  mill  was  ready 
to  start  up,  the  log  yard  was  jammed  full  of  fine  oak  logs,  the 
building  was  up  and  all  the  steam  works  to  their  proper  places. 
Mr.  Rugg  concluded  to  have  a jubilee  and  invited  the  people  far 
and  near  to  come  and  witness  the  greatest  curiosity  of  their  lives, 
assuring  the  people  of  no  danger.  The  day  arrived  and  with  it 
the  people  from  afar.  They  came  in  every  conceivable  way  to  get 
there.  The  building  was  a large  two  story  frame  with  4x4  girders 
running  around  the  entire  building  about  4 feet  from  the  ground. 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


6l 


The  siding  was  not  nailed  on  yet,  consequently  the  girders  were 
fine  seats  for  men  and  boys,  which  was  filled  all  around.  The 
population  of  Decatur  ventured  to  see  the  fun.  Ladies  and 
gentlemen,  with  their  children,  and  the  elderly  people  occupied 
the  log  yard,  as  they  feared  to  venture  closer.  Everybody  await- 
ing anxiously  to  see  the  thing  go.  Steam  was  up,  fizzing  and 
fretting,  occasionally  the  engineer  would  touch  a small  steam 
gage,  when  there  would  be  a scream  from  some  woman,  perhaps 
a dozen  or  more.  A thought  struck  the  engineer  that  there  was 
fun  ahead,  and  he  took  the  poker  and  raised  the  safety  valve  and 
let  her  off.  There  never  was  such  a stampede  in  our  day  as  was 
exhibited  there.  Women  fainted  and  some  screamed,  ran  and  fell 
over  everything.  Men  did  not  wait  to  see  if  anybody  was  killed. 
The  girders  were  empty  in  a jiffy.  Clothing  were  left  upon  the 
stumps,  logs  and  bushes.  Horses  ran  away,  causing  havoc 
among  the  natives.  All  I can  remember  of  it  was  that  infernal 
blast.  I found  myself  about  two  hundred  yards  from  the  blow-off 
and  seeing  old  man  Elefritz  whiz  past  me  like  a meteor,  and  likely 
is  running  yet.  I had  crossed  a creek  near  by  and  after  I came  too 
I was  a walking  mud  boy.  One  Hobart  Scott,  a young  man  then, 
jumped  in  the  river  and  dove  down  and  across  the  river,  a dozen 
following.  My  mother  tore  her  fine  calico  dress  in  fragments 
getting  away,  and  father  lost  his  fine  plug  hat.  At  intervals  the 
engineed  would  cause  a blast  from  the  cussed  thing.  There  was 
not  a female  soul  within  half  a mile  of  it.  The  people  talked  of 
killing  that  engineer,  but  better  heads  pursuaded  the  people  to 
drop  it,  as  he  meant  only  fun. 

Oh,  carry  me  back  to  the  scenes  of  my  boyhood  days.  I 
now  often  meet  old  playmates  of  our  boyhood  days  and  we  refer 
back  to  some  sport  we  had  and  talk  of  our  youthful  frolics  when 
the  rosy  blush  of  life  was  upon  us  and  the  world  was  bright  and 
beautiful,  when  we  had  great  expectations  of  still  happier  days  to 
come,  but  they  never  came  and  now  it  is  a sweet  thought,  though 
sad  cosolation  to  let  memory  go  back  and  for  a time  refresh  us 
with  the  pleasures  that  never  will  return. 

I was  about  14  years  old  when  I went  to  learn  the  printing 
trade.  I went  to  work  in  the  only  printing  office  in  Adams 
County.  Joshua  R.  Randell  was  publishing  a newspaper  called 
the  Decatur  Gazette,  a whig  paper.  I remained  in  the  office 
nearly  two  years,  when  Mr.  John  Peterson  (father  of  Lawyer 
Smith  Peterson,  now  of  Decatur)  bought  the  outfit.  I had  ac- 
quired the  printing  business  sufficient  to  manage  the  business  with 
a little  assistance.  I induced  my  father  to  purchase  the  office, 
which  changed  the  political  aspect,  and  we  have  the  honor  of 


62 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


publishing  the  first  Democratic  newspaper  in  the  County,  called 
the  Adams  County  “Democrat.”  I worked  in  the  office  until 
my  mother  died.  I taught  school  until  the  year  1856,  then  I 
went  to  Portland  and  hired  with  Mr.  John  Hoover,  who  was  then 
publishing  the  Portland  Journal.  I remained  with  him  one 
summer.  Also  worked  a short  time  in  the  Liber  Lamp  office  at 
Liber  college,  two  miles  south  of  Portland.  My  associations 
with  Hon.  David  Baker,  John  Hawkins  and  Hon.  John  Peter 
Clever  Shanks  while  in  Portland  were  very  pleasant.  Also  many 
others  will  remember  the  many  gum  sucks,  play  parties  we  had. 
The  following  winter  I returned  home  and  worked  in  the  printing 
office  until  the  fall  of  1857.  I secured  a license  to  teach  school 
and  taught  a three  months’  term  in  Wabash  Township,  called  the 
Meyers  school,  on  the  old  mud  pike,  receiving  $40  for  the  term 
and  paying  $12  board,  price  of  board  in  proportion  to  wages. 
After  school  term  I returned  to  Decatur  and  commenced  the  study 
of  law  with  Hon.  David  Studabaker,  remaining  at  my  studies  until 
I was  compelled  to  abandon  them  on  account  of  bronchitis.  I 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  to  practice  law  in  1858,  of  which  I had  a 
large  amount,  as  the  court  docket  will  show.  In  the  spring  of 
i860  I began  the  study  of  dentistry,  and  finished  the  profession 
with  Dr.  Isaac  Knapp,  at  Fort  Wayne.  I returned  to  Decatur 
and  practiced  dentistry  successfully  for  five  years.  On  the  24th 
day  of  December,  i860,  I married  Mrs.  Mary  A.  Pierce,  of 
Decatur.  Our  marriage  relations  were  very  pleasant  and  pro- 
fitable for  twelve  years,  when  she  died  of  consumption  after  an 
illness  of  about  two  years.  She  was  a faithful  member  of  the  First 
M.  E.  church,  also  one  of  the  first  members  of  Olive  Lodge, 
Rebeckah  Degree  of  Odd  Fellows.  She  was  also  a milliner  and 
carried  on  an  extensive  business.  I added  to  her  stock  nearly 
three  thousand  dollars  by  buying  out  another  dry  goods  estab- 
lishment and  we  ran  the  business  until  her  death.  I sold  the  store 
and  invested  my  means  in  speculations  that  proved  worthless.  I 
was  elected  Recorder  of  Adams  County  in  1866,  served  four 
years.  I joined  the  Odd  Fellows  in  the  year  1863,  and  when  the 
Knights  of  Pythias  was  first  organized  in  Decatur  I became  a 
member  and  remained  with  both  orders  until  I moved  to  Monroe, 
in  1878.  I have  ever  cherished  the  principles  of  the  two  orders, 
and  ever  shall.  The  latch  string  upon  my  doors  are  ever  out  to 
receive  an  honorable  Odd  Fellow  and  Knight.  I was  commis- 
sioned as  the  first  notary  public  in  Adams  County  in  1858,  and 
also  served  as  Town  Clerk  several  terms  after  Decatur  was  first 
incorporated.  The  many  ups  and  downs  from  boyhood  to  man- 
hood were  varied  and  many.  Pleasures  and  displeasures  untold. 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


63 


I will  never  forget  the  beautiful  pike  and  bass  fish  we  used  to  catch 
in  the  river.  The  gams  of  town  ball,  bull  pen,  hat  ball,  tag,  hide 
go  seek,  were  our  merriest  times,  the  sapplings  we  cut  down,  the 
log  and  brush  heaps  and  stumps  we  burned  at  night  and  day, 
where  now  stands  the  finest  buildings  in  the  city,  and  all  the  re- 
numeration we  received  was  out  living,  clothing  and  rosy  cheeks, 
for  which  I congratulate  dame  nature  to  this  day.  I remember 
climbing  the  little  elm  tree  (now  the  beautiful  large  one  that 
stands  near  the  Court  yard)  when  it  was  but  a small  shade  tree. 
That  tree  ought  to  stand  there  as  a memonto  so  long  as  natre  will 
permit.  It  is  the  only  monument  of  away  back  that  has  stood 
the  tempests  of  the  element  for  over  sixtyyears,  and  when  we  look 
upon  that  old  elm  tree  and  behold  its  foliage  we  ought  to  thank 
and  think  of  the  founder,  S.  L.  Rugg,  of  this  beautiful  growing 
city,  (Decatur,  and  right  here  I will  say  that  there  ought  to  be  a 
statue  of  Samuel  L.  Rugg,  the  founder  of  Decatur,  sitting  in  the 
Court  House  square,  he  being  the  doner  of  the  lot  and  square 
for  the  purpose  it  is  used.  The  citizens  of  Adams  County  owes  it 
to  his  memory. 

The  young  people  of  our  day  were  not  classified  as  now,  the 
boys  and  girls  were  friendly,  sociable  and  we  all  joined  hands  in 
the  ring  round  Rosy,  also  with  the  ball  and  bat  the  girls  were  our 
equals  and  possessed  good  manners  and  breeding.  Our  mothers 
would  attend  quilting  parties,  wool  pickings  and  aid  each  other 
in  cooking  for  the  log  rollers  and  all  other  hard  tasks  that  often 
happened  in  those  pioneer  days.  The  log  cabins,  with  a coon 
skin  or  a deer  skin  tacked  up  against  the  outside  walls,  was  a 
palace,  and  within  the  walls  were  friendly,  honest  and  kind  hearted 
citizens. 

There  are  but  few  of  the  boys  and  girls  of  long  ago.  Many 
have  passed  over  the  river,  and  what  are  left  are  getting  old,  and 
soon  they  too  will  hand  in  their  checks. 

In  the  year  1874  I was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Ada 
Hendricks,  of  Adams  County,  to  whom  four  children  were  born, 
one  boy  and  three  girls.  Charles  M.  is  20  years  old,  Grace  and 
Ivy  (twins  are  18  years  old,  and  were  born  in  Decatur;  Catherine 
Elizabeth,  the  baby,  is  now  1 5 years  old,  and  was  born  in  Monroe, 
our  present  place  of  living.  I moved  from  Decatur  to  Monroe  in 
the  fall  of  1878.  Since  that  time  I have  been  engaged  in  the 
drug  and  dry  goods  business.  I invested  in  the  mill  and  factory 
business,  which  proved  a failure,  and  at  present  am  acting  as 
Justice  of  the  Peace  for  Monroe  Township.  Yet  with  all  this 
and  a good  comfortable  home  in  Monroe,  with  no  malice  to  any- 


64 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


one,  I and  my  family  will  never  forsake  nor  forget  Decatur  and  its 
inhabitants. 

I can  see  what  ravages  and  changes  time  has  made.  Let 
U9  look  upon  the  city  of  Decatur,  let  what  we  see  testify.  A 
beautiful  and  growing  city  lies  before  us,  the  pioneers  who 
watched  it  in  infancy  and  planted  deep  and  sure  the  foundations  of 
its  present  growth  and  prosperity,  have  nearly  all  passed  away. 

Monroe,  Ind.,  June  2,  1896.  M.  V.  B.  S. 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


65 


CHAPTER  IV. 


D.  C.  Mathias  Miller,  Sr.,  was  born  June  28th,  1821,  in  the 
Province  of  Rhine,  Prussia.  My  mother  died  when  I was  seven 
years  old  and  father  died  when  I was  fourteen  years  old.  In  the 
year  1838  I learned  the  turner  and  chair  making  trade  and  worked 
steady  on  the  trade  till  1840,  after  which  I left  my  home  and 
started  for  America,  on  October  12th.  I left  Haver  with  the 
United  States  ship  Tallahasse  for  New  Orleans,  La.,  and  arrived 
there  on  December  1st,  1840.  There  was  a great  time  there  that 
day  I arrived.  Everybody  was  hurrahing  for  Tip  and  Taylor. 
I was  very  much  pleased  with  the  city  of  New  Orleans.  I never 
saw  so  many  oranges  and  lemons  before  nor  ever  afterwards.  A 
person  would  think  they  were  in  Paradise  seeing  such  beautiful 
fruit.  Well,  after  taking  the  sights  in  at  New  Orleans,  the  next 
day  I took  a steam  boat  for  Madison,  Indiana.  It  took  thirteen 
days  to  come  to  Madison,  Ind.,  from  New  Orleans,  La.,  and  the 
fare  was  very  cheap,  which  was  only  $4.00  for  a thirteen  days’ 
ride.  Then  from  Madison,  Ind.,  to  Decatur,  Ind.,  I traveled  afoot 
through  snow,  mud  and  bad  roads.  It  took  me  seven  days  to  reach 
Decatur.  The  journey  was  awful  hard,  for  I was  a green  Dutch 
man ; nevertheless  I was  not  in  the  least  discouraged,  for  the  peo- 
ple were  very  sociable  and  kind  to  me,  which  pleased  me  very 
much.  I had  plenty  of  money  and  therefore  I had  the  best  of 
board,  but  when  I came  to  settle  my  board  bill  up  and  they  refused 
to  take  any  pay  you  may  believe  I never  offered  the  second.  I 
thought  to  myself,  so  much  the  more  in  my  pocket-book,  and  I 
thought  they  must  have  pitied  me  then  when  I wanted  to  pay 
them  I would  show  my  pocket-book,  for  it  would  be  no  use  to 
talk  to  them,  for  they  could  not  understand  German,  and  they 
would  answer  by  shaking  their  head  no,  ^nd  saying  nicks,  nicks. 


66 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


Many  a time  I think  about  this  and  must  laugh  over  it.  I know 
if  I could  talk  English  I could  get  acquainted  with  the  girls  very 
easy.  The  places  where  I remained  over  night  the  girls  would 
not  leave  me  go  to  bed  unless  they  would  say  Dutchman  sing 
Dutch,  and  you  may  believe  I gave  them  a song  in  Dutch  that 
was  clear  out  of  sight.  The  songs  I still  remember  and  think  I 
will  as  long  as  I live.  That  was  the  only  English  I could  under- 
stand when  the  girls  said  Dutch  sing  Dutch,  so  therefore  I will 
never  forget  those  English  words.  When  I arrived  at  Decatur 
I found  Brother  John  and  Sister  Margaret  here.  There  were 
very  few  inhabitants  here  at  that  time.  Mr.  Samuel  L.  Rugg,  Mr. 
Reynolds,  Mr.  John  Closs,  Mr.  James  Niblick,  Samuel  Patterson, 
Tames  Patterson,  Nicholas  Fitick,  Frederick  Tyler,  Harry  Scott, 
John  Lahr,  Jacob  Huffer,  William  and  Front  are  the  names  of 
whom  I can  remember  when  I came  to  Decatur.  There  was  a 
frame  Court  House  and  a log  jail  here  at  that  time.  The  names 
of  the  officers  at  that  time  were  Samuel  L.  Rugg,  Postmaster 
George  A.  Dent,  Jacharia  Smith  and  Mr.  Randell.  I don't  re- 
member all  their  names.  At  that  time  there  were  three  judges 
whose  names  were  Cillgore,  Evans  and  Elzie.  Lawyers  came 
from  a far  distance  to  attend  to  court  on  horseback.  The  people 
don't  need  to  complain  now  that  live  here  at  the  present  time. 
Everything  is  .improved  wonderfully  since  I came,  but  it  was  a 
hard-looking  place  when  I came  first,  but  I was  well  pleased  any 
way  and  am  better  satisfied  now.  I left  Decatur  in  1842  and  went 
to  Ohio  to  work  on  the  canal,  where  Spencerville  and  De4phos 
stands  now,  which  was  all  a wilderness  at  that  time.  Also  worked 
on  the  canal  between  Fort  Wayne  and  Fort  Defiance,  Ohio,  in 
1844.  I went  to  Monroeville,  Huron  County,  Ohio,  and  drove 
team  until  1851.  From  there  I went  to  Europe.  I left  New  York 
April  9th,  1851,  and  arrived  at  Haver  in  France  after  a voyage  on 
the  sea  of  twent-two  days.  From  there  I went  to  my  native 
home,  which  took  me  two  days.  After  remaining  for  months  I 
returned  to  my  adopted  country  on  September  14th,  1851.  I 
could  not  get  married  there  because  I had  lost  my  rights,  as  I 
was  considered  an  American  citizen,  so  I got  angry  and  she  and  I 
(my  best  girl)  left  for  America  and  arrived  in  New  York  October 
nth,  1851.  Her  parents  were  perfectly  willing  for  us  to  be  mar- 
ried, so  we  got  married  in  New  York  on  October  13th,  1851,  in 
the  Catholic  church  without  the  civil  laws  of  Prussia.  We  did 
not  run  there  to  ask  every  Tom,  Dick  and  Harry  in  order  to  get 
married  in  New  York.  Soon  after  I wrote  to  the  old  country  that 
my  wife  was  Americanized  and  lived  in  a free  country.  After  our 
marriage  the  next  day  we  started  for  Decatur,  but  not  afoot,  and 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


67 


moved  on  our  farm  three  miles  south  of  town.  We  lived  there 
until  March,  1853.  From  there  we  moved  to  Monroeville,  Ohio 
There  I was  at  my  old  place  again  and  remained  there  until  the 
spring  of  1857,  and  then  returned  to  our  farm  again  in  Decatur, 
Ind:  I enlisted  in  the  United  States  army  August  15th,  1862,  for 

three  years  or  until  discharged,  in  Company  R,  Regiment  89, 
Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry.  I was  in  the  battle  of  Mompford- 
ville,  Ky.,  September  14th  and  16th,  1862.  I stood  guard  during 
that  battle ; also  was  in  the  battle  of  Fort  De  Russa,  Louisana ; also 
the  battle  of  Pleasant  Hill,  La.,  on  April  9th,  1864,  where  I was 
severely  wounded  and  was  sent  to  Jackson  barracks  hospital,  near 
New  Orlean,  Louisana.  Was  in  the  hospital  about  two  weeks 
and  afterwards  they  sent  me  to  Memphis,  Tenn,  in  the  Overton 
hospital.  Was  kept  there  till  August  15th,  1864,  then  was  sent 
to  Jefferson  barracks,  Mo.  They  kept  me  there  and  then  dis- 
charged me  December  19th,  1864,  on  account  of  a gun  shot 
wound  in  the  left  shoulder  and  the  loss  of  the  use  of  my  left  arm. 
received  in  the  battle  of  Pleasant  Hill,  La.  After  my  discharge  I 
went  home  and  found  my  wife  and  five  little  children  all  well.  A 
few  days  after  I got  home  was  Christmas  and  it  was  a very  happy 
one.  When  the  paymaster  paid  me  in  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  he  asked 
me  what  kind  of  a road  there  was  from  Fort  Wayne  to  Decatur. 
I told  him  a mud  road.  He  wanted  to  know  if  there  was  an 
omnibus  running  there,  but  I did  not  know  for  I was  afraid  and 
had  to  foot  it  again  like  I often  did  before,  but  I had  good  luck 
and  got  a ride  from  Mr.  August  LaBrun  from  French  Township 
in  Fort  Wayne,  and  he  gave  me  a ride  in  his  wagon.  So  this  is 
all  I can  write  for  I am  75  years  old.  If  I was  younger  I could 
write  more,  and  another  thing,  I never  went  to  an  English  school 
so  therefore  it  is  hard  work  for  me  and  my  spelling  needs  cor- 
rection. 

Decatur.  Ind. 


MR.  MATHIAS  MILLER,  Sen. 


68 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  V. 


Mrs.  L.  P.  Ferry,  daughter  of  L.  T.  Bourie,  possibly  one  of 
the  very  first  traders  and  merchants  in  this  vicinity,  was  present 
at  the  meeting  this  morning.  Mrs.  Ferry  drew  a pen  picture  of 
early  Fort  Wayne,  which  her  grand-daughter,  Miss  Minnie  Orvis, 
read  as  follows: 

My  father,  Louis  T.  Bourie,  whose  life  will  be  spoken  of  in 
this  meeting  by  one  of  his  descendants,  came  to  Fprt  Wayne  from 
Detroit  in  1762  as  an  Indian  trader  and  interpreter,  built  a house 
and  store  near  the  English  fort.  This  fort  was  located  on  the 
south  bank  of  the  St.  Mary’s  river  by  Captain  D'Vincennes, 
founder  of  Vincennes,  Ind.  Gen.  Wayne  traced  this  fort  in  1794. 
My  parents  were  warm  personal  friends  of  both  Generals  Wayne 
and  Harrison.  My  father,  after  his  house  was  completed, 
brought  his  family  to  Fort  Wayne  to  live.  There  were  only  two 
houses  besides  his  own.  They  returned  to  Detroit  in  1814.  When 
I was  three  months  old  we  returned  to  Fort  Wayne,  down  the 
river  in  a peroque — a boat  hewn  from  a large  log  and  propelled  by 
paddles.  The  boat  was  large  enough  to  hold  trunks,  bedding, 
provisions  and  passengers.  When  we  arrived  there  we  found 
our  house  had  been  destroyed  by  fire,  so  we  lived  in  the  fort  until 
it  was  re-built.  The  house  was  located  on  what  is  now  the  present 
site  of  Columbia  street,  between  Clinton  and  Barr  streets.  I first 
went  to  school  in  the  fort  about  the  year  1822.  My  teacher  being 
a Baptist  missionary  named  McCoy.  I next  went  to  school  in  the 
council  house.  In  this  room  was  a long  row  of  cupboards  where 
the  tobacco  supplies  were  kept.  When  the  boys  were  unruly  the 
schoolmaster  would  shut  them  up  in  these  cupboards  until  they 
would  almost  suffocate.  The  girls  in  those  days  never  required 
punishment.  I next  went  to  school  in  the  jail  (the  present  site  of 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


69 


the  court  house)  until  a brick  school  could  be  completed  which 
wes  being  erected  where  the  jail  now  stands.  This  old  jail  was 
built  of  logs  and  was  divided  into  two  rooms,  an  upper  and  lower. 
The  lower  room  was  used  for  criminals,  and  the  upper,  where  we 
studied,  was  used  for  prisoners  of  debt.  People  at  that  itme  were 
incarcerated  for  debt.  One  man  named  Alexander,  was  im- 
prisoned quite  frequently,  but  by  some  means  escaped  as  soon  as 
he  was  put  in.  It  was  finally  discovered  that  by  putting  his 
shoulder  under  a log  he  could  crawl  out.  After  my  return  from 
school  in  Detroit  I met  my  husband,  Lucian  P.  Ferry,  a young 
lawyer,  and  in  August,  1831,  we  were  married.  I cooked  my  first 
meal  in  a fireplace  ten  feet  long,  as  in  those  days  cook  stoves  were 
an  unknown  luxury  in  this  part  of  the  country,  as  there  was  no 
way  of  bringing  them  here.  In  1836  my  husband  bought  me  the 
first  cook  stove  ever  brought  to  Fort  Wayne. 

A family  traveling  through  by  wagon  stopped  in  Mr.  Ferry’s 
office  and  offered  to  sell  it.  It  proved  a great  curiosity,  as  people 
came  from  miles  around  to  see  the  “saddle  bags,”  as  they  termed 
it,  because  of  the  manner  in  which  it  was  built,  having  a hole  on 
each  side  and  an  oven  built  underneath. 

The  only  means  of  travel  was  on  horseback  or  by  water. 
You  may  like  to  hear  something  of  social  life  in  those  days.  While 
we  lived  in  a primative  way,  we  did  not  dress  in  primative  style. 
Life  was  very  gay,  as  the  garrison  was  filled  with  officers  and 
their  wives  from  eastern  cities,  and  many  parties  were  given  which 
were  equal  in  elegance  to  the  parties  of  to-day.  After  the  officers 
left  other  people  came  in  tO'  take  their  places. 

The  ladies’  dresses  were  rich  brocaded  silks,  satins  and 
canton  crepes,  bodices  cut  decollette  and  sleeveless.  Men  wore 
the  dress  suit  of  to-day  with  the  exception  of  satin  vests,  ruffled 
shirts  of  linen  cambric  and  silk  or  satin  stock.  For  general  use 
the  satin  vest  was  worn,  but  for  traveling  wore  black  broadcloth. 

Provisions  were  brought  in  covered  wagons  from  Piqua. 
The  Indians  loved  wild  fruits,  and  in  this  region,  on  the  present 
site  of  the  Pittsburg  depot,  there  was  an  abundance  of  straw- 
berries, wild  plums  and  other  fruits.  The  Indians  were  accus- 
tomed to  cherish  the  belief  that  for  them  the  Great  Spirit  had 
especially  caused  these  to  come  forth  and  ripen  each  season,  and 
every  specie  of  food  from  the  roots,  vegetables  and  fruits  to  the 
animals  themselves  were  alike  considered  as  imbued  with  the 
same  peculiar  principle,  in  which  the  Great  Spirit  had  infused 
some  special  element  of  excellence  intended  to  impart  to  the  red 
man  both  health  and  strength.  Here  more  especially  the  black- 
berry was  most  abundant,  and  from  this  fact  this  point  was  long 


70 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


known  to  the  Indians  as  Ke-ki-on-ga,  signifying  “blackberry 
patch.”  Clias.  B.  LaSalle  says  Ke-ki-on-ga  passed  among  the 
Miamis  as  a symbol  of  antiquity.  But  whether  this  name  was 
given  on  account  of  the  spot  being  covered  with  blackberry  or 
meant  to  represent  it  as  the  most  ancient  village  of  their  race  in 
this  country  is  not  known  to  tradation.  Thus  unusual  regard  for 
the  place  and  the  tenacity  with  which  they  so  long  defended  it 
would  imply  the  latter  supposition. 

I have  seen  Fort  Wayne  grow  from  a hamlet  to  the  city  it 
now  is,  and  I have  the  privilege  of  being  the  oldest  settler  in  Fort 
W ayne. 

At  the  conclusion  of  these  reminiscences  Mrs.  Ferry  bowed 
to  the  audience  as  the  meeting  was  brought  to  a close. 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


71 


CHAPTER  VI. 


WHEN  IT  SNOWED. 


Who  hasn’t  a curiosity  to  know  of  the  beginning? 

The  beginning  is  the  theme  of  the  naturalist,  t^e  scientist  and 
the  theologist,  alike.  In  the  beginning  “the  evening  and  the 
morning  were  the  first  day.”  In  the  beginning  of  the  state,  the 
first  settler,  the  first  marriage,  the  first  birth,  the  first  death,  the 
first  church  and  first  school  are  each  and  all  items  sought  out  and 
recorded  by  the  historian.  People  usually  take  some  interest  in 
the  beginnings,  that  promote  their  happiness  or  contribute  to  the 
record  of  development  and  growth  of  institutions  with  which  they 
may  have  been  related.  The  theme  of  this  sketch  shall  have  re- 
ferenc  to  a few  of  the  hardy  pioneers  who  heeeded  the  timely 
advice  of  Horace  Greeley,  who  said:  “Go  west,  young  man;  go 

west  and  grow  up  with  the  country.”  When  this  advice  was 
given,  the  Mississippi  valley  was  a wilderness,  with  but  a few  trad- 
ing posts  west  of  Pittsburg,  Pennsylvania.  But  as  Kingley  says: 
“Westward,  the  Empire  takes  its  way.”  So  with  the  Snows.  When 
it  first  snowed  is  yet  an  enigma.  Perhaps  away  back  in  merry 
England  ere  the  “War  of  the  oses,”  or  previous  to  the  time  when 
Henry  VIII.  discovered  a “pang  of  conscience”  in  living  wtih  his 
deceased  brother’s  wife,  Catherine,  while  the  beautiful  Anna 
Boleyn,  was  in  sight  and  unmarried. 

We  are  told  that  the  doubtful  things  in  history  are  very  un- 
certain; yet,  in  the  history  of  Plymouth,  written  by  one  of  Harv- 
ard’s “sages,”  we  find  that  “Nicholas,  Anthony  and  William 
Snow,  came  over  early  from  England.  The  two  former  brought 
families  ;the  later  was  an  apprentice  and  settled  in  Doxbury. 
Anthony  was  first  at  Plymouth;  then,  in  1642,  at  Marshfield. 
Nicholas,  who  came  in  the  “Ann,”  in.  1623,  had  a share  in  the 
division  of  the  land  at  Plymouth,  settled  in  Eastham.” 


72 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


From  the  above  Fit' of  history  we  infer  that  it  snowed  early 
in  the  New  England  colonies.  The  true  delineator  of  New  York 
life  in  the  days  of  Detrich  Nickerbocker — the  inimitable  Washing- 
ton Irving — in  his  history  of  the  Empire  state,  illuminates  many 
ridiculous  and  peculiar  features  of  the  Dutch  and  names  many 
customs  of  interest,  but  fails  to  tell  us  when  it  first  snowed  at 
Auburn.  Buel  also  omits  an  account  of  the  first  snow  squall  in 
St.  Louis.  Both  of  these  cities  are  well  represented  with  the 
name  Snow.  At  the  close  of  the  Revolution  several  families  of 
Snows  settled  in  West  Moreland  County,  Pennsylvania,  near  the 
town  of  Chester.  A James  Snow  there  married  an  Irish  lady  by 
the  name  of  Eleanor  Tate,  and  perhaps  as  early  as  1812,  came 
west  to  Upper  Sandusky,  Ohio.  In  1833,  or  near  that  date,  they 
settled  near  Defiance,  and  in  1837  moved  to  Jackon  Township, 
Jav  County,  Indiana.  From  that  date  frequent  Snow  squalls 
were  heard  in  J^y  and  Adams  Counties 

Of  James  Snow’s  family  there  were  nine  boys  and  one  girl, 
six  of  whom  lived  to  adult  age.  William  moved  to  Illinios  and 
died  in  1883.  James  B.  and  Barton  B.  last  resided  in  Adams 
County.  The  former  died  in  1876  and  the  later  in  1875.  A gray 
granite  monument  in  the  Bloomfield  cemetery — Jay  County — 
marks  the  resting  place  of  a majority  of  the  pioneer  Snow  family. 
Of  James  B.  Snow’s  family  but  he  is  married  and  lives  near 
Geneva,  Indiana.  His  wife  was  a Miss  Mary  . Vance,  the  daugh- 
ter of  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Adams  County.  They  are  the  parents 
of  two  little  girls — Grade  and  Bertha  Snow.  The  wife  of  Barton 
B.  Snow  was  Miss  Rebecca  H.  McDonald,  a lady  of  Scotch-Irish 
descent,  whose  parents  formerly  resided  in  Cumberland  County, 
Ohio.  Of  the  nine  children  born  to  them  but  three  survive, 
Loretta  G.,  Ada  V.  and  John  F.,  the  later  of  whom  is  married. 
He  married  a Miss  Sadie  A.  Hoskinson,  a lady  of  Virginian  an- 
cestry who  formerly  resided  near  Newark,  Ohio.  They  are  the 
parents  of  two  sons,  Horace  H.  and  Eral  E.,  who  are  respectively 
nine  and  thirteen  years  of  age. 

Of  James  Snow’s  family  two  sons,  James  B.  and  Barton  B.. 
were  doctorsi  The  former  graduated  from  Jefferson  Medical 
College  at  Philadelphia,  and  the  later  from  Louisville  Medical 
College,  Kentucky. 

Of  Barton  B.  Snow’s 'family — five — two  sons  and  three 
daughters,  grew  to  maturity,  and  all  were  teachers  in  the  public 
schools. 

From  the  American  School  Board  Journal,  of  Chicago,  for 
April,  1892,  we  clip  the  following  sketch: 

“The  subject  of  this  sketch,  John  F.  Snow,  was  born  in  Port- 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


73 


land,  Ind.,  June  17th,  1854.  His  mother,  Rebecca  H.  McDonald, 
was  of  Scotch-Irish  parentage.  Burton  B.  Snow,  M.  D.,  his 
father,  was  a descendant  of  Puritan  residents  of  Boston,  Mass. 
He  received  his  first  ideas  of  education  from  his  mother,  who  was 
a teacher.  His  early  years  were  devoted  to  agricultural  pursuits 
and  attendance  at  the  district  schools  until  the  age  of  eighteen., 
at  which  time  he  entered  Ridgeville  College.  Ill-health  and  the 
death  of  his  parents  greatly  retarded  his  educational  progress. 
After  ten  years  devoted  to  the  work  of  student  and  teacher  in 
the  various  grades,  from  the  district  schools  to  the  Normal  and 
high  school,  he  attained  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Science. 

In  1833  he  was  chosen  County  Superintendent  of  Adams 
County,  Ind.,  and  has  since  been  four  times  re-elected  to  the  same 
position.  As  member  of  the  Indiana  County  Superintendent’s 
Association  he  has  served  on  various  educational  committees, 
and  in  1890  wras  chosen  president  of  the  Association. 

In  politices  he  is  a Democrat,  and  has  at  various  times  re- 
presented his  party  in  county  and  state  conventions. 

Being  possessed  of  ample  energy  and  indomitable  will- 
power, his  undertakings  are  usually  crowned  with  a merited  de- 
gree of  success.” 


74 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  VII. 


Jacob  Closs,  Sr.,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Adams  County,  was 
born  in  Mar  Binger,  Prussia  (Germany)  in  1827,  whose  parents 
were  John  and  Catherine  (Longerdiffer)  Closs,  who  were  among 
the  early  settlers  of  Adams  County.  In  1834  the  parents  emi- 
grated to  America,  settling  in  Maumee  City,  Ohio,  where  they 
engaged  in  farming  until  1838,  when  they  moved  to  Adams 
County,  Indiana,  a distance  of  about  one  hundred  miles. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  then  being*  eleven  years  old  he 
walked  the  entire  distance  and  drove  eight  head  of  cattle,  arriving 
here  January  1st,  1839.  The  parents  lived  on  the  Zimmerman 
farm,  east  of  Decatur,  until  1840,  when  they  moved  on  their  own 
land,  one  mile  and  a half  west  of  Decatur,  and  lived  there  one  year, 
when  they  moved  to  the  town  of  Decatur,  being  composed  of  four 
families.  The  nearest  trading  points  at  that  time  being  Fort 
Wavne,  Indiana,  and  Piqua,  Ohio,  to  which  latter  place  the 
early  settlers  were  compelled  to  go  to  get  their  groceries.  It 
would  take  two  weeks  at  that  time  to  make  the  trip  to  Piqua 
and  return,  as  they  had  to  go  through  the  Black  Swamps  and 
were  compelled  to  stay  three  nights  at  one  tavern  in  the  swamps, 
being  unable  to  make  more  than  one  mile  a day  while  crossing 
the  swamps  on  account  of  the  condition  of  the  roads.  The  first 
stage-coach  between  Fort  Wayne  and  Piqua  was  driven  over  the 
route  about  1846,  which  carried  mail  and  passengers  and  was 
drawn  bv  four  horses.  When  they  reached  the  Black  Swamps 
the  male  passengers  were  compelled  to  walk,  each  one  carrying 
a pole  in  order  that  they  might  be  able  to  pry  up  the  coach,  which 
was  often  necesary  while  crossing  the  same.  In  1843  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  being  then  16  years  old,  carried  fifty  pounds 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


75 


of  flour  from  Pleasant  Mills,  a small  town  on  the  banks  of  the  St. 
Marys  River,  five  miles  southeast  of  Decatur,  to  this  city.  The 
next  day  after  arriving  from  Pleasant  Mills  with  the  flour  his 
father  gave  him  fifty  cents  and  told  him  to  go  to  Fort  Wayne 
and  look  for  work,  at  which  place  he  secured  work  for  three  days 
at  thirty-seven  cents  a day.  The  next  job  of  work  was  secured 
after  a lapse  of  three  days,  at  which  time  he  had  but  six  cents  in 
money,  and  that  not  being  sufficient  to  enable  him  to  stay  all  night 
at  a hotel,  he  was  compelled  to  sleep  in  the  ashry,  taking  his  six 
cents  the  next  morning  to  buy  a loaf  of  bread,  which  lasted  him 
one  day.  Being  then  out  of  money  he  went  to  the  nearest  store 
keeper  and  purchased  a bag  on  time  and  started  for  the  cranberry 
marsh.  The  first  day  he  stood  in  water  eight  inches  deep  and 
picked  one  bushel  of  cranberries,  which  he  sold  to  the  store- 
keeper that  eening  for  seventy-five  cents ; returning  next  morning 
and  picking  another  bushel  which  he  sold  that  evening  at  the 
same  price.  The  next  job  was  working  on  a canal  boat  at  ten 
dollars  per  month,  payable  in  goods,  after  which  he  hired  out  to 
drive  horses  to  a packet  boat  for  ten  dollars  per  month,  but  at 
the  end  of  the  month  received  but  twenty-five  cents  and  was  left 
stranded  eighteen  miles  from  Fort  Wayne.  He  then  walked  to 
Fort  Wayne  and  worked  two  weeks  for  a man  who  promised  to 
pay  him  fifty  cents  a day,  but  who,  at  the  end  of  that  time,  refused 
to  pay  him  anything,  after  which  he  returned  to  his  home  in 
Decatur.  Shortly  after  his  return  home  there  was  a circus  in 
Fort  Wayne,  to  which  place  he  and  his  sister  Catherine,  now  the 
widow  of  Jesse  Niblick,  deceased,  walked  to  see  the  same,  return- 
ing on  the  following  day. 

After  remaining  at  home  a few  days  he  and  his  brother, 
Motts,  erected  a hotel  building  on  the  ground  now  occupied  by 
the  Old  Adams  County  Bank,  which  building  is  now  situated  by 
the  river  bridge  at  the  east  end  of  Monroe  street.  At  the  time 
the  building  was  erected  there  was  no  saw  mills  in  the  country 
and  they  were  compelled  to  split  the  lath  and  shingles  themselves. 
The  household  furniture  in  those  days  was  composed  of  a few 
three-legged  stools  without  backs,  a broad  puncheon  for  a table, 
and  bed-steads  to  match.  The  cupboard  was  made  by  boring 
holes  in  the  wall  into  which  was  driven  pins  and  clapboards  laid 
lengthwise  across  the  pins ; the  wash  basin  was  an  ordinary  sugar 
trough,  which  , for  convenience,  was  always  left  outside  the  house. 
A kitchen  clock  sold  for  one  thousand  pounds  of  bacon. 

The  parents  of  Mr.  Closs  had  six  children,  John,  Motts, 
Catheriir,  William,  Mary  and  Jacob,  of  which  only  two,  Jacob 
and  Catherine,  are  now  living.  Mr.  Closs  learned  the  shoemaker 


76 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


trade  by  working  nights,  which  trade  he  followed  until  1848, 
when  he  and  his  brother-in-law,  Jesse  Niblick,  engaged  in  the 
boot  and  shoe  business,  which  business  he  followed  until  1874, 
when  he  sold^out  and  engaged  in  the  grocery  business,  which  busi- 
ness he  followed  for  nine  years,  after  which  he  engaged  in  the 
jewelry  business,  which  business  he  is  engaged  in  at  the  present 
time. 

Mr.  Closs  was  married  to  Catherine  Spuller,  October  18th, 
1855,  at  the  St.  Mary’s  church  at  Fort  Wayne,  Indiana,  by  Rev. 
Father  Edward  Fowler.  Mrs.  Closs  was  born  August  23rd,  1835. 
Her  parents  were  natives  ofv  Richland  County,  Ohio,  who  emi- 
grated to  Adams  County  in  1838.  Two  children  have  been  born 
to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Closs,  Jacob,  Jr.,  of  the  firm  of  J.  Closs  & Son, 
Jewelers,  and  Mary,  owner  and  manager  of  one  of  the  finest 
millinary  stores  and  ice  cream  parlors  in  the  city  of  Decatur. 

The  family  are  all  members  of  the  St.  Mary’s  Catholic 
church. 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


77 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


At  the  earnest  request  of  a friend  I am  asked  to  pen  a few  of 
the  many  reminicences  of  bygone  days  spent  in  Indiana. 

In  the  fall  of  1864  my  wife  and  I and  one  child  emigrated 
from  Hocking  County,  Ohio,  in  a two-horse  wagon  with  our 
household  effects  to  Indiana.  On  the  evening  of  the  10th  of 
September,  1864,  we  drew  up  in  front  of  Daniel  Weldy’s  house, 
in  Kirkland  Township,  Adams  County,  Ind.  Some  two  weeks 
later  we  moved  into  a log  house  two  mils  west  of  Decatur,  on  the 
Fitzgerald  farm.  In  November  I was  employed  to  teach  the 
Beach  Grove  school  in  Kirkland  Township,  seven  miles  west  of 
Decatur,  where  I spent  the  winter.  The  old  log  school  house 
situated  at  a cross-road  in  the  forrest,  at  that  time  presented  a 
rather  wild  appearance  at  its  surroundings.  From  where  I lived, 
on  the  Bob  Niblick  farm,  to  the  school  house  a distance  of  one 
mile  through  the  woods,  was  the  grand  crossing  for  deer,  wild 
turkey,  coons,  opussums  and  the  porcupine,  all  of  which  1 often 
got  sight  of  in  the  spring  of  1865.  With  the  mud  fourteen  inches 
deep,  with  my  few  household  effects  it  took  a four-horse  team  to 
haul  what  little  we  had  at  that  time  to  Pleasant  Mills,  in  St.  Mary’s 
Township,  where  we  remained  until  the  following  September, 
when  we  moved  to  Decatur.  At  this  time  it  was  not  an  infre- 
quent occurrence  to  see  teams  mire  down  to  the  axle  of  the  wagon 
and  have  to  be  pried  up  with  rails  any  where  between  where  the 
Gld  Adams  County  Bank  now  stands  and  the  Presbyterian 
church  on  Second  street.  There  were  two  different  times,  be- 
tween 1865  and  1867,  that  I paid  $16.00  per  barrel  for  flour  and 
2K  cents  for  smoked  hams,  and  other  things  in  proportion.  #At 

i - 


— - 


73 


ADAMS  COUNTY 


that  time  the  old  county  cemetery  was  far  out  in  the  woods  south 
of  town,  and  the  present  site  of  the  Catholic  church  was  then 
west  of  the  now  city  of  Decatur,  far  out  among  the  logs  and 
stumps,  and  where  the  G.  R.  & I.  depot  now  stands  was  a lake  of 
water  where  the  boys  fished  in  summer  and  skated  in  the  winter, 
and  those  who  came  to  town  .on  foot  in  the  spring  had  to  cross 
this  lake  on  the  rail  fence.  At  this  time  it  was  nothing  strange 
to  see  the  old  St.  Mary’s  river  two  weeks  raising  and  two  weeks 
falling  with  a io-foot  depth  of  water  on  the  Zimmerman  bottom 
land.  In  1867  or  1868,  after  a heavy  rainfall,  the  water  was  deep 
enough  on  Second  street  to  run  a large  skift  or  row  boat,  with 
every  cellar  in  town  indunated.  On  Christmas  day  in  1871  the 
first  construction  train  on  the  G.  R.  & I.  came  into  town,  at  which 
time  a free  dinner  was  given,  and  what  a time  we  had.  It  was 
said  that  a man  living  suoth  of  town  ate  one-half  of  a roasted 
ox  and  drank  a barrel  of  beer,  but  with  all  this  the  iron  horse 
went  through.  In  1864  Decatur  had  800  of  a population,  and 
now  with  tlie  multiplied  resources  of  our  country  Decatur  can 
baost  of  4,500,  with  three  railroads  and  brick  paved  streets  and  a 
first-class  water  works  plant  and  also  an  electric  light  plant.  But 
now  the  scene  has  changed,  the  birds  have  grown,  and  they  have 
flown ; then  I was  28,  and  now  I am  60.  The  shades  of  the  even- 
ing of  life  is  fast  approaching,  but  with  all  this  the  invention  of 
man  will  only  make  the  world  hustle  that  much  the  faster. 

From  a friend, 


May  25,  1896. 


I.  H.  STONE. 


79 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


o - 

CHAPTER  IX. 

i 

BIOGRAPHY  OF  JACOB  BUPILER,  SR. 


Jacob  Buhler,  dealer  in  lime,  hair,  cement  and  plaster  of 
paris,  also  flour  and  feed  exchange,  at  Decatur,  Ind.,  was  born  in 
Canton  Berne,  Switzerland,  February  25th,  1825.  Fie  learned 
the  stone-cutters’  trade  when  a young  man  and  traveled  as  a 
journeyman  in  his  native  country  in  the  interest  of  his  trade  for 
three  years.  In  1847  he  came  to  America,  landing  at  New  York 
July  26th;  from  there  he  went  to  Cleveland,  Ohio,  where  he 
worked  at  his  trade  until  1848.  He  then  went  to  Licking  County, 
Ohio,  still  working  at  his  trade,  until  coming  to  Adams  County, 
Ipd.,  in  1849,  where,  with  the  exception  of  five  years  spent  in 
Wabash  County,  he  has  resided'  in  Decatur.  After  coming  to 
Decatur  he  followed  contracting  and  in  1875  began  dealing  in 
lime  and  building  material,  in  which  he  is  still  engaged.  Jacob 
B.  was  united  in  marriage  at  Decatur  June  3rd,  1851,  to  Rose  Ann 
Chronister,  who  was  born  in  Cumberland  County,  Penn.,  a 
daughter  of  Henry  and  Elizabeth  (Helm)  Chronister,  who  were 
natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  of  German  decent.  They  came  to 
Adams  County,  Ind.,  in  1847,  when  Mrs.  Buhler  was  about  six- 
teen years  old,  and  located  on  a farm  in  Union  Township.  Here 
her  father  died  in  1859,  aged  sixty-four  years,  and  the  mother  died 
at  Decatur  in  1884,  at  the  age  of  seventy-nine  years.  Both  were 
members  of  the  Lutheran  church. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jacob  Buhler  were  born  eight  children,  all 
of  whom  were  boys.  Of  these  six  are  living,  each  being  engaged 


8o 


ADAMS  COUNTY 


in  business  in  Decatur,  except  the  youngest,  Chester  Buhler, 
who  is  freight  agent  at  Ridgeville,  Ind. 

Mr.  Jacob  B.  is  a member  of  St.  Mary  s Lodge  No.  167,  I.  O. 
O.  F.  I11  politics  he  is  a Democrat,  and  an  honest  and  influential 
citizen.  He  and  wife  have  worshiped  at  the  Evangelical  church 
at  Decatur,  and  for  three  years  he  has  served  as  steward  of  that 
church.  At  the  present  time  they  are  recognized  as  members  of 
the  United  Brethren  church.  Mr.  B.  has  always  led  a Christian 
life,  and  is  now,  at  the  age  of  seventy-one  years,  in  very  good 
health,  with  the  exception  of  the  disability  to  walk  well,  the  effects 
of  a slight  stroke  of  paralysis  in  1893. 


m 


* 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


81 


CHAPTER  X. 


Peter  Jackson,  of  Washington  Township,  Adams  County, 
was  born  in  Ashland  County,  Ohio,  in  the  year  1825.  He  was 
educated  in  the  common  school  of  Ohio,  which  was  very  common 
at  that  time.  My  father  subscribed  for  one-half  of  us  children 
and  we  went  day  about  in  turns.  What  would  you  think  of  send- 
ing a student  now-a-days  every  other  day?  But  this  was  sub- 
scription school;  no  public  school  there  at  that  time.  I came 
here  about  1848,  was  married  in  1851.  Locating  as  a farmer 
in  St.  Mary’s  Township  when  it  was  a dense  forrest.  Have  now 
lived  long  enough  to  see  two  counties  cleared  up;  Ash  County, 
Ohio,  and  this  dear  old  Adams.  The  Steele  boys  and  I had  many 
a good  frolic  together,  helping  each  other  clear  land.  Well  do  I 
recollect  the  first  year  I was  in  this  county.  I went  sixty  days 
to  log  rollings.  We  all  turned  out  to  help  each  other.  It  would 
be  said  I went  one  mile  or  went  six  miles  to  help  my  neighbors 
roll  his  logs.  You  in  this  day  might  say,  how  did  you  class  your 
neighbors,  was  it  the  man  who  joined  land  with  you  in  all  casses? 
No;  it  was  those  who  were  willing  to  go  and  help  any  one  who 
would  ask  him  to  help  him  bear  his  burdens.  A man  who  had  to 
do  a little  work  for  himself  or  refused  to  go  when  called  on  seldom 
got  to  refuse  more  than  once,  as  he  would  be  spotted  as  a selfish 
crank  and  it  would  be  said,  we  will  simply  leave  him  alone. 

I was  raised  a Presbyterian  in  their  old  strict  way.  My 
father  would  not  allow  us  to  buy  a water  melon  on  the  Sabbath 
day,  but  we  used  to  get  out  the  oldcow  bell  and  rattle  it  on  one 
side  of  the  corn  field  opposite  the  melon  patch  and  the  owner 
would  go  to  drive  the  cows  out  of  his  corn,  then  some  of  the 


82 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


gang  of  us  would  wolf  his  melons  and  he  would  find  no  cows  in 
his  field.  On  his  return  he  would  find  some  clear  head  had 
carried  off  his  choicest  melons.  Tricks  of  these  kind  were  played 
all  for  fun  these  days. 

Well  do  I recollect  the  fall  of  1854,  when  the  cold  fever  raged 
here.  Many  people  died  with  it.  There  were  not  enough  well 
people  to  care  for  the  sick.  This  was  a great  year  of  sickness  and 
hard  times. 

I belong  to  no  church,  yet  I am  a Methodist.  Politically  a 
Democrat,  the  Democrats  have  elected  me  for  twenty-two  years 
. as  township  assessor. 


Very  truly  yours, 

PETER  JACKSON. 


) 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


83 


t 


CHAPTER  XI. 


I came  to  this  state  in  1835,  with  an  older  brother,  Benjamin, 
and  worked  in  the  woods  on  land  my  father  had  entered  from  the 
government  the  previous  spring.  This  land  was  in  section  14, 
Root  Township.  We  built  a log  cabin,  one  story  high,  with 
puncheon  floor,  clapboard  roof  and  an  old-fashioned  wooden 
chimney,  with  the  back  and  jams  of  mud.  We  boarded  with 
Benjamin  Pillars,  who  had  settled  here  the  previous  year.  Our 
experience  that  first  year  was  no  exception  to  that  encountered 
by  every  pioneer.  Nature  had  been  on  the  ground  a good  long 
while,  and  when  we,  as  the  van  guard  of  approaching  civilization, 
undertook  to  take  possession  of  the  small  territory  which  the 
government  said  was  ours,  Ben  and  I had  to  fight  for  it.  Father 
and  the  other  children  came  in  the  spring  of  1836.  A few  years 
later  he  built  a hewed  log  house,  a story  and  a half  high,  where 
he  died  in  1848.  He  was  born  in  London  County,  Va.,  in  1789, 
and  was  a soldier  in  the  war  of  1812.  I was  born  in  Culpeper 
County,  Va.,  in  1820,  the  1st  of  January,  and  like  other  boys, 
worked  at  home  until  I was  “of  age.”  I then  went  to  work  for 
myself.  The  first  man  I worked  for  was  T'hos.  Fisher,  receiving 
$9.00  per  month  for  clearing,  making  rails,  &c.  The  next  was 
George  A.  Dent,  from  whom  I received  $11.00  per  month  for 
similar  work.  I remained  with  him  until  I saved  enough  money 
to  pay  for  entering  forty  acres  of  land.  On  this  I built  a shanty 
in  the  year  1842,  and  a year  later,  with  my  “pardner  for  life,”  went 
to  housekeeping  in  the  woods,  not  on  Brussels  carpet  and  under 
gas  lights,  but  on  a puncheon  floor,  lighted  by  “tallow  dip”  or 
sometimes  a grease  lamp.  Our  household  goods  were  not  what 
people  buy,  but  what  your  grandfather  used  to  make.  I have 


84 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


loved  a small  house  ever  since,  for  in  it  I learned  to  make  sacrifices 
and  to  be  hospitable.  This  home  in  the  woods  was  four  miles 
southeast  of  Monroeville,  and  we  lived  there  until  1865.  In  that 
year  I bought  the  farm  owned  by  George  A.  Dent  and  moved 
to  it  early  in  the  spring.  For  this  land  I paid  $15,000 — 280 
acres.  I have  lived  in  this  county  sixty-one  years.  I have  seen 
the  coming  of  the  telegraph,  the  railroads,  the  telephone  and  fhe 
electric  light.  My  memory  is  more  clear  upon  the  events  of  those 
early  days  and  what  happened  in  them,  than  upon  the  happenings 
of  this  age  of  bustle.  Some  young  men  of  to-dav  will  beg  rather 
than  work  for  less  than  one  dollar  a day,  while  their  grandfather 
has  probably  made  rails  for  37 cents  per  day,  as  I have,  then  set 
down  to  a dinner  of  corn  bread  and  bacon.  Store  box  politicians 
will  tell  us  of  these  “hard  times,”  while  they  chew  tobacco,  earned 
by  their  wives  washing.  I wish  they  had  been  men  in  1835,  when 
flour  had  to  be  hauled  from  Piqua,  Ohio,  and  cost  $12.00  a barrel. 
We  had  no  churches,  no  schools,  no  railroads  and  no  canals,  and 
30  to  50  cents  per  day  was  good  wages.  Then  with  an  apprecia- 
tion of  what  they  cost,  look  to-day  at  our  magnificent  school 
system,  backed  by  the  laws  of  the  state,  our  beautiful  churches 
in  which  to  worship.  The  railroads  with  their  wheeled  palaces, 
the  telegraph  with  its  language  of  truth,  and  the  telephone,  which 
makes  the  residents  of  New  York  and  Chicago  neighbors.  Then, 
in  the  name  of  the  improvements  of  the  past  sixty  years,  I say, 
young  man,  get  down  off  that  box  and  go  to  work,  if  you  wish  to 
have  a man’s  place  among  the  men  of  vour  town. 

W.  P.  RICE. 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


85 


CHAPTER  XII. 


JACOB  KING. 


Jacob  King  was  born  on  November  29th,  1810,  at  Little 
York,  Pa.,  and  died  at  Decatur,  Ind.,  on  the  19th  day  of  May, 
1894,  aged  83  years  5 months  and  20  days.  At  the  age  of  5 
years  he  removed  with  his  parents  from  Little  York,  Pa.,  to  New 
Philadelphia,  Ohio,  where  he  learned  and  engaged  in  the  black- 
smith trade,  and  was  one  of  the  best  blacksmiths,  of  his  time. 

In  1840,  at  the  age  of  30  years,  he  removed  to  Adams 
County,  Ind.,  which  was  then  an  almost  uninhabited  wilderness; 
only  five  houses,  and  they  in  the  woods  and  swamps,*  composed 
the  present  city  of  Decatur.  Cheerfully  and  hopefully  did  they 
address  themselves  to  the  difficult  task  of  clearing  away  the 
# timber,  ditching  the  swamps  and  laying  the  foundation  on  which 
we  have  builded.  They  labored  for  us  more  than  for  themselves, 
and  we  owe  these  old  pioneers  a lasting  debt  of  gratitude  im- 
possible to  repay.  Surely  “one  soweth  and  another  reapeth.” 
They  labored  and  sacrificed  and  suffered  to  lay  the  foundations  of 
our  boasted  civilization,  and  of  that  peace  and  of  those  instutions 
which  we  by  inheirtance  to-day  enjoy.  Mr.  King  was  twice 
married.  In  1832  he  was  married  to  Catherine  Goff,  to  whom 
were  born  eight  children.  In  1853  he  was  married  to  Maria  Lin- 
coln, to  whom  were  given  four  children. 

Fond  of  home,  to  him  there  was  no  place  so  dear  as  the  old 
fireside,  and  he  was  never  so  happy  as  when  surrounded  there  by 
his  children  and  grandchildren.  He  was  a Jacksonian  Democrat 


86 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


all  his  life,  and  his  party  honored  him  by  entrusting  to  his  hands 
several  offices  in  his  county.  He  was  constable  for  seventeen 
years,  marshal  for  four  years  and  sheriff  four  years.  He  was  a 
good  and  efficient  officer.  Faithfully  and  well  did  he  do  his  duty 
in  this  capacity  aS  in  every  other.  He  was  raised  in  the  Lutheran 
church,  his  father  and  mother  being  ardent  and  strict  members 
of  that  denomination,  but  a short  time  before  his  death  he  united 
with  the  Presbyterian  church  of  this  city. 

Not  now,  but  in  the  coming  years, 

It  may  be  in  the  better  land,  ' 

We’ll  read  the  meaning  of  our  tears, 

And  there,  sometimes,  we’ll  understand. 

We’ll  catch  the  broken  threadsi  again. 

And  finish  what  we  here  began ; 

Heav’n  will  the  mysteries  explain, 

And  then,  ah  then,  we’ll  understand. 

God  knows  the  way,  He  holds  the  key. 

He  guides  us  with  unerring  hands; 

Sometimes  with  tearless  eyes  we’ll  see, 

Yes,  there,  up  there,  we’ll  understand. 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


87 


CHAPTER  XIII. 


PREBLE,  Ind.,  Adams  County. 

I who  write  this  was  born  in  this  state,  Adams  County,  in 
1838.  My  parents  came  to  this  county  in  1835  and  settled  at 
Fort  Wayne  for  a period  of  one  year,  which  place  at  that  time 
contained  about  twelve  little  log  cabins.  Then  later  they  came 
to  Preble,  Adams  County,  where  they  remained  until  they  died. 
Their  home  was  a little  log  cabin,  which  had  one  room,  one  win- 
dow and  door.  Their  nearest  neighbors  were  Indians,  wolves  and 
bears.  They  started  to  work  hard  to  cut  down  timber  in  order 
to  have  a few  fields  cleared  for  wheat,  corn  and  so  on.  Their 
work  seemed  indeed  hard,  as  it  had  to  be  done  all  by  their  own 
hands.  Their  wheat  and: corn  was  ground  in  a coffee  mill,  out  of 
which  our  bread  was  made  and  mother  could  prepare  our  meals 
in  only  a short  time  when  she  returned  home  from  hard  work 
We  had  a small  fire  plac$,  a table  made  of  two  rough  boards,  and 
a few  cut  down  logs  for  chairs.  We  lived  in  this  style  for  about 
twelve  years,  and  enjoyed  our  little  home  and  hard  work  more 
than  many  people  now  days  who  live  in  luxury.  There  was  no 
church  nor  schools  to  go  to  there  at  that  time,  and  all  the  educa- 
tion we  got  was  a life  of  hard  work.  There  were  fourteen  children 
of  us,  of  which  there  are  seven  living  yet,  three  girls  and  four 
boys.  I well  remember  (then  I was  just  a little  boy)  the  time  < f 
the  Meican  war,  to  which  just  one  of  our  neighbors  went  to.  Of 
course  there  were  only  a very  few  neighbors  at  that  time.  Then 
at  about  the  same  time  I had  the  misfortune  of  having  a limb 


88 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


broken,  but  as  people  didn’t  know  anything  about  a doctor  then, 
we  had  to  content  ourselves  with  home  treatments,  in  fact,  I did 
not  know  what  a doctor  was  at  all  until  years  afterwards,  when  a 
neighbor  took  down  sick  and  they  called  a doctor  from  Fort 
Wayne,  which  was  twelve  miles  from  the  place  where  we  lived. 
I then  learned  to  know  that  he  was  a human  person  and  not  a 
beast,  as  I had  always  imagined  before.  I lived  with  my  parents 
on  the  farm  until  the  age  of  21,  when  I left  home  and  stopped  at 
Fort  Wayne  to  learn  the  blacksmith  trade.  My  salary  was  $2.50 
a month,  out  of  which  I had  to  pay  my  own  washing  besides. 
From  there  I went  to  Newville,  where  I stayed  a short  time,  and 
then  enlisted  in  the  89th  volunteers  of  1862,  for  three  years,  in 
which  I helped  to  fight  seven  battles  besides  the  little  skirmishes 
we  met  with  every  day.  These  were  indeed  three  very  hard 
years,  and  we  had  to  live  on  an  ear  of  corn  a day  very  often,  and 
then  get  up  and  fight  like  brave  men.  We  were  happy  when  we 
heard  the  news,  “war  closed,”  which  was  in  April,  1865.  I then 
returned  to  my  old  home  on  the  farm  in  August,  the  same  year, 
where  I started  up  a blacksmith  shop  and  worked  seven  years  at 
the  trade.  I was  married  to  Miss  Tressa  Bley,  from  our  neigh- 
borhood, on  November  30th,  1865.  We  lived  there  seven  years, 
and  in  that  time  three  little  girls  were  bom  to  us,  Mary,  Rosy  and 
Susie.  Then  in  that  year,  1872,  in  the  month  of  April,  I bought  a 
frame  house  in  Preble  Township  in  the  woods,  and  we  lived  there 
four  years,  when  a little  boy  wa»  born  to  us,  and  we  called  him 
Edwin,  and  in  that  way  we  passed  many  peaceful,  happy  years 
until  the  year  of  1890  brough  sickness  to  our  once  happy  home. 
My  oldest  daughter,  Mary,  who  was  married  and  lived  at  Fort 
Wayne,  died  quite  suddenly  of  tvphiod  fever,  leaving  a little  boy 
of  ten  months  behind.  Of  course  this  was  a sad  blow  to  us  all. 
After  she  was  laid  away  to  rest  in  the  cemetery  at  Fort  Wayne, 
we  took  her  little  boy  home  with  us  and  lived  a few  more  weeks 
in  quietness,  when  my  wife  took  sick  with  some  unknown  disease, 
and  after  my  children  and  I fought  hard  to  save  her  life,  we  had 
to  learn  at  the  close  of  each  day  that  death  was  drawing  nearer. 
Then  to  add  to  our  cup  of  sadness,  about  two  weeks  before  my 
wife’s  death,  one  morning  my  son  Edwin,  who  was  15  years  old, 
was  getting  ready  to  go  to  school  he  was  suddenly  overtaken  with 
a heavy  sick  spell,  and  after  suffering  every  thing  imaginable, 
died  three  days  later,  which  was  the  4th  of  November,  1890.  We 
laid  him  to  rest  in  the  little  village  church-yard  here  at  Preble, 
and  on  the  17th  of  the  same  month,  when  darkness  had  shadowed 
our  home,  my  two  daughters  and  I were  called  to  my  wife’s  bed- 
side to  bid  her  forwell  forever  in  life.  Thus  our  happy  home  was 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


89 


broken  up,  and  she  was  also  laid  away  to  rest  in  the  village  church 
yard  by  Edwin’s  side.  I could  not  bear  to  stay  at  the  old  home 
where  so  many  sad  memories  recalled  the  dear  ones  each  day, 
and  besides  I could  not  get  along  on  the  farm.  I sold  the  farm 
in  1892  and  came  here  to  Preble,  a little  town  of  about  100  inhabi- 
tants. I bought  a home  here  and  had  living  with  me  my  two 
daughters  and  little  grandson,  until  1894,  when  his  father  married 
again  and  took  him  back  to  his  own  home  at  Fort  Wayne.  This 
summer,  the  25th  of  June,  my  youngest  daughter,  Susie,  was 
married  and  makes  her  future  home  at  Wildeps,  Ind.  So  now  my 
daughter  Rosy  and  I are  keeping  house  alone,  and  altogether  it 
seems  a lonely  life.  It  is  a home  of  peace  and  quietness.  I hope 
that  all  my  friends  whose  eyes  may  rest  on  these  pages  will  be 
able  to  recall  in  these  memories  part  of  the  life  story  of 

CHALES  CONRAD,  Aged  58  years. 


90 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 


Washington  Steele,  a farmer  of  Washington  Township, 
Adams  County,  Indiana,  was  born  in  Bedford  County,  Pennsyl- 
vania, in  the  year  1830.  In  the  year  1837  I emigrated  with  my 
perents  to  Richland  County,  Ohio.  My  father,  George  Steele, 
was  born  in  Bedford  County,  Penn.,  in  the  year  1799.  In  his 
young  days  he  followed  boating  and  building  boats.  My  mother 
Margaret  (Shoup)  Steele,  was  born  ift  Bedford  County,  Penn.,  in 
the  year  1803,  and  is  now  living  with  her  daughter,  Rebecca  A. 
Ernst,  in  Peterson,  Indiana.  She  is  now  in  the  93  year  of  her  age, 
apparently  in  good  health.  She  has  her  second  sight,  she  can 
read  without  glasses. 

I remember  well  of  seeing  the  stars  fall  November  13th, 
1833.  I lived  with  my  parents  in  Richland  County  and  Ashland 
County  until  the  fall  of  1848,  when  I emigrated  with  my  parents 
to  Adams  County,  Indiana.  We  settled  in  Kirkland  Township, 
where  my  father  had  previously  entered  120  acres  of  land  on  the 
outlet  of  the  grim  prarie.  My  father  built  a hewed  log  house. 
Lumber  was  scarce  at  that  time,  so  he  split  out  puncheons  and 
made  a puncheon  floor.  My  father  being  a carpenter  he  done 
all  the  work  himself.  I helped  to  clear  up  a part  of  my  father’s 
farm.  In  the  winter  of  1849  I taught  school  in  Wells  County  in 
a rude  school  called  the  Hetric  school  house,  it  being  the  first 
money  I ever  earned.  The  summer  of  1850  I Worked  for  my 
brother-in-law,  John  Hartman,  on  his  farm.  When  we  first 
came  to  this  state  I went  to  log  rolling  and  raising  from  five  to 
six  days  in  the  week.  In  the  spring  of  the  year  their  work  was 
log  rolling  and  raising  nearly  every  day  in  the  week  for  two  or 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


91 


three  weeks.  Game  was  plenty  at  that  time,  such  as  deer  and 
turkey.  Possums  were  so  numerous  you  could  not  track  them 
after  a snow  would  lay  for  two  or  three  days,  the  woods  were 
just  tracked  over.  I being  no  hunter  I did  not  hunt  much.  I 
never  killed  but  one  deer,  but  shot  at  them  frequently.  There 
were  some  porcupine  with  the  balance  of  the  game.  My  father 
being  somewhat  of  a hunter,  he  killed  a great  many  deers,  and  a 
noted  bee  hunter,  he  found  a great  many  bee  treees.  We  had 
plenty  of  corn  bread,  jerked  venison  and  honey. 

When  we  first  came  to  this  state  the  roads  were  very  bad. 
When  any  farmer  would  go  to  town  or  any  place  with  a team  he 
would  take  an  ax  along  and  when  one  place  would  get  bad  they 
would  cut  a road  around  it.  Where  the  G.  R.  & I.  railroad  depot 
is  now  it  was  full  of  old  logs  and  large  dead  trees.  Joseph  Crabb, 
an  old  resident,  owned  the  land  where  the  depot  is.  He  gave  forty 
acres  for  clearing  forty.  The  road  was  so  full  of  logs  and  trees 
a person  could  hardly  get  through.  In  the  fall  of  1851  I com- 
menced to  work  for  Samuel  L.  Rugg  in  a saw  mill,  sawing  plank 
for  a plank  road  running  from  St.  Marys  to  Fort  Wayne.  Mr. 
Rugg  having  a contract  to  furnish  plank  for  so  many  miles,  I 
worked  there  nearly  three  years.  I was  head  sawyer  a part  of 
the  time  and  part  of  the  time  run  the  engine.  I got  75  cents  per 
day.  In  the  winter  we  run  the  mill  day  and  night.  There  were 
six  of  usi.  Joseph  C.  Plummer,  D.  D.  Bevelheimer  and  I.  W. 
Bixler  run  in  the  fore  part  of  the  day  and  night;  Thomas  Mickle, 
John  Clark  and  myself  run  in  the  after  part  of  the  day  and  night. 
We  did  not  work  in  them  days  like  they  do  now,  the  ten  hour 
system ; we  worked  from  daylight  to  dark  the  year  round,  winter 
and  summer.  While  working  there  I had  some  good  times  and 
some  hard  work.  The  logs  were  all  sixteen  feet  long,  sawed  into 
three  inch  planks.  So  we  had  some  heavy  lumber  to  handle. 

In  the  spring  of  1853  I married  Miss  Polly  Zimmerman.  We 
had  four  children,  all  living.  Mary  F.  married  L.  P.  Swarts; 
.Eli  W.,  single,  living  at  home;  Emma  E.  married  Jacob  Koos; 
John  D.  married  Mary  Drayer,  of  Reading,  Penn.  I often  heard 
my  father-in-law  tell  how  he  had  to  do.  when  he  first  came  to  this 
state  in  1834.  He  had  to  go  to  Fort  Wayne  to  mill.  He  went 
sometimes  with  an  ox  team.  It  would  take  about  three  days  to 
make  the  trip.  Sometime  one  or  more  of  the  neighbors  would 
join  in  with  him  and  they  would  go  down  the  St.  Mary’s  river  in 
what  he  called  the  keel  boat.  He  said  it  was  easy  going  down 
stream,  but  coming  back  it  was  hard  work  running  up  stream. 
When  he  built  his  new  house  about  the  year  1845  he  had  to  go  to 
Piqua,  O.,  for  his  hardware  with  an  ox  team.  It  would  take  five 


92 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


or  six  days  to  make  the  trip.  He  also  had  to  haul  some  of  his 
lumber  from  Piqua,  Ohio.  By  hard  work  and  good  management 
he  accumulated  a great  deal  of  property.  He  had  about  1,500 
acres  of  land  when  he  died  in  the  year  1878.  Before  he  died  he 
deeded  to  his  son  Eli  Zimmerman,  900  acres  of  land,  the  old  home 
place,  he  paying  back  to  the  other  five  heirs  $5,500  and  did  not 
get  any  share  of  his  other  estate.  Eli  Zimmerman,  Sen.,  had  his 
second  wife.  His  first  died  in  the  year  1872.  He  had  three  farms 
in  Mercer  County,  Ohio.  I sold  one  of  them  for  $8,000,  one  for 
$5,000  and  one  for  $4,500,  as  his  executor.  He  gave  each  of  his 
children,  when  he  got  married,  200  acres  of  land.  He  had  five 
children  living  when  he  died.  It  took  sixteen  years  to  settle  his  * 
estate.  A great  many  people  said  that  I would  have  some  law 
suits  in  court  before  I got  the  estate  settled,  but  I settled  the  estate 
without  any  lawing  at  all. 

The  first  schooling  I got  was  in  Richland  County,  Ohio, 
near  Jeromeville.  I learned  my  letters  and  first  spelling  in  the 
Cobbs’  spelling  book;  then  we  got  United  Speller,  then  the  Ele- 
mentry,  then  the  McGuffey’s.  The  first  arithmetic  was  called 
the  Federal  Calculater.  In  them  days  they  used  the  quill  pen.  It 
would  take  the  teacher  morning  and  noon  to  make  pens.  We 
had  no  blackboard  in  the  school  then.  When  I went  to  school 
the  teacher  always  had  his  rod  in  his  hand  and  whiped  for  most 
every  thing. 

I was  born  in  Wayne  County,  Ohio,  August  4th,  1833,  and 
emigrated  to  Adams  County,  Ind.,  ten  years  later,  the  country 
being  comparatively  a wilderness  at  that  time,  with  no  schools 
or  churches,  church  generally  being  held  at  private  houses. 

I remember  the  first  school  I attended  was  one  built  of  rough 
logs  and  with  a clapboard  roof,  puncheon  floor  and  seats  of  split 
logs  and  with  rough  boards  to  serve  as  desks. 

Young  men  at  that  time,  when  wanting  a general  good  time, 
would  go  to  Mammouth,  which  was  then  quite  a business  place. 

On  one  occasion  a crowd  of  us  went  to  Mammouth,  the 
metropolis,  and  stopped  with  old  Mr.  Dorwin,  who  run  a hotel 
and  general  store.  Mr.  V.  B.  Simcooke,  who  was  one  of  the 
party,  on  retiring  for  the  night  concluded  to  sleep  within  the 
feather  bed,  instead  of  on  top,  and  done  so,  getting  in  boots, 
clothes  and  all.  His  clothes  being  somewhat  damp  from  a driz- 
zling rain,  you  can  imagine  what  a sad  looking  spectacle  he  was 
the  following  morning  on  arising.  But  his  folly  made  much 
sport  for  the  boys. 

Neighbors  were  few,  but  they  thought  nothing  of  going 
seven  or  eight  miles  to  help  a new-comer  raise  a log  house  or  barn 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


93 


or  attend  a log  rolling,  which  was  one  of  thesports  of  the  time. 
On  those  occasions  the  ground  would  be  divided  into  equal  space, 
a captain  selected  for  each  side  and  the  men  evenly  divided  and  it 
would  be  a race  until  finished,  the  side  coming  out  victorious 
would  receive  a prize  of  four  or  five  pounds  of  tobacco. 

Our  market  was  Fort  Wayne,  and  it  would  require  four  days 
to  make  the  trip,  and  supplies  enough  to  last  for  a period  of  six 
months  would  be  purchased  at  one  time. 

In  1852  a plank  road  was  built  from  St.  Marys  to  Fort  Wayne 
that  opened  commerce  to  a great  extent  and  helped  in  getting 
different  enterprises  at  Decatur. 

In  those  days  corn  was  ground  on  a coffee  mill  and  when 
soft,  grated.  When  further  advanced  a Mr.  Anderson  built  a 
mill  of  burrs  dressed  from  two  large  boulders.  Men  served  as 
elevators  and  fed  the  wheat  by  hand  into  hoppers  which  run  it 
through  the  bolting  cloths.  The  engine  consisted  of  a team  of 
oxen  or  horses. 

The  pumpkin  was  then  the  main  stand-by,  and  wThen  sitting 
at  dinner  you  would  generally  see  pumpkin  butter,  pumpkin 
molasses,  pumpkin  preserves  and  other  eatables  too  numerous 
to  mention,  all  made  from  a common  pumpkin,  which  took  the 
place  of  fruit. 

Game  was  plenty,  deer,  turkey,  bear  and  wild  hogs  were  in 
abundance. 

In  1874  I built  the  first  fair  ground  and  held  the  first  fair 
ever  held  in  Adams  County. 

I have  been  interested  in  a great  many  of  Decatur’s  enter- 
prises and  have  resided  in  Adams  County  for  the  past  fifty  years 
with  the  exception  of  two  years  spent  in  the  mining  districts  of 
the  Black  Hills  in  South  Dakota. 


M.  WOOD. 


94 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  XV. 


RACHEL  ELZEY. 


I came  to  this  state  in  1840.  Decatur  had  but  one  house  in 
it  and  it  was  all  woods  and  Indians  were  plenty;  there  were  400 
in  one  camp.  It  was  a very  lonesome  place,  but  we  had  our 
pleasures  as  well  as  our  sorrows.  We  had  many  happy  meeting; 
we  went  summer  and  winter.  I will  tell  you  how  we  went. 
When  the  weather  was  good  we  walked,  but  when  it  was  too  bad 
to  walk,  we  went  with  our  oxteam.  We  took  all  of  the  children 
with  us;  we  didn’t  leave  them  at  home  as  they  do  now.  We  had 
mile  and  three-qarters  to  go  to  meeting.  The  brush  was  cut  out 
and  the  trees  biased  so  we  could  find  our  way.  I went  to  church 
one  Sunday  and  I had  went  about  a quarter  of  a mile  when  I saw 
a big  black  bear  lying  on  a log  in  the  sun  asleep.  It  was  about 
fifteen  feet  from  me.  I run,  and  lost  the  road,  but  I went  on  and 
came  out  where  I knew  the  place  and  I went  on  to  church,  and 
when  I came  back  the  bear  was  gone. 

We  had  no  saw  mills,  no  planks,  had  puncheon  for  floors  and 
clapboard  tables;  a log  house  and  no  partition  in  it,  one  window 
and  a fire  place  and  a clay  hearth,  and  nothing  to  make  doors  out 
of.  Hung  a quilt  up  at  the  door  and  then  put  the  clapboard 
table  against  it  to  keep  the  wolves  out  at  night.  A panther  ate 
up  our  little  dog.  I»t  was  a picnic  to  go  to  a new  country  to  live. 
We  had  plenty  to  eat.  Had  honey,  wild  turkey  and  deer.  .We 
went  to  Fort  Wayne  for  our  flour.  We  raised  our  children  care- 
fully and  prayerfully,  and  I hope  parents  will  be  more  careful  to 
raise  their  children  and  raise  them  in  the  faar  of  God  and  with 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


95 


kindness.  . Do  not  whip  with  a stick,  but  with  kind  words,  for 
kindness  is  a pleasure  and  makes  happy  children,  and  when  you 
go  to  church  take  all  of  the  children  along  with  you. 

I live  in  the  city  of  Decatur,  and  I have  a pleasant  home,  al- 
though a lonely  widow.  I am  eighty  years  old.  I have  lived  a 
Christian  life  for  sixty-four  years.  I feel  that  nothing  can  move, 
that  I am  founded  on  the  ock.  Christ  Jesus;  how  glorious  it  is 
to  live  a Christian  life.  I hope  all  will  come  in  to  the  fold  of 
Christ  and  be  saved. 

My  first  husband  died  and  left  me  with  eight  children,  and 
with  the  help  and  grace  of  God  I kept  them  together.  The  two 
oldest  children,  Elizabeth  and  William  Fisher,  were  both  preach- 
ers;  they  had  a good  father,  a man  of  God.  Yours  truly, 

RACHEL  ELZEY. 


96 


PORTLAND,  JAY  COUNTY. 


FEED  & SALE  BARN. 

Horses  bought,  sold  or  exchanged. 

Horses  always  on  hand  for  retail  trade. 


EAST  HIGH  STREET, 

J.  S.  WILT.  * Established  1885.  D.  F.  SPADE. 


DEALERS  IN 

HER.  SHINGLES.  DOORS,  RUSH.  BLINDS.  MOULDINGS. 
HU.  GENERAL  BUILDERS'  IHH. 

Class,  Lime,  Hair  and  Lath.  Large  stock  to  select  from. 

The  Public  invited  to  inspect  our  Stock  and  get 
estimate  on  Building  Material. 

Yard  and  Planing  Hill  at  Crossing  of  the  Q.  R.  & I. 
and  L,  E.  & W. 


PORTLAND,  JAY  COUNTY. 


97 


HEARN  &,  CO., 

DEALERS  IN 

STAPLE  AND  RANCY 

GROCERIES 


THE  MERCER  & RAWLINGS  LUMBER  CO., 

DEALERS  IN 

LUMBER,  LATH,  SHINGLES,  SASH,  DOORS, 

BLINDS 


BUILDERS’  HARDWARE. 


98 


PORTLAND,  JAY  COUNTY. 


J.  S.  HINES. 

me  Leading  Metier  end  Funeral  Direcinr. 

Graduate  Iron)  D.  S.  College  el  EmGalmieg. 

Will  still  be  found  at  the  old  stand,  John  Cring’s 
Furniture  Store,  where  all  calls  will  be  attended 
promptly,  day  or  night.  For  night  calls  telephone 
number  twenty-eight.  I have  been  at  the  old  stand 
for  over  eight  years.  Anyone  can  tell  you  where  it  is. 
Largest  stock  and  lowest  prices. 

Call  and  see  me. 

Yours  Truly, 

J.  S.  HINES, 

FUNERAL  DIRECTOR. 

Embalming  a Specialty. 

Graduate  from  U.  S.  College. 


PORTLAND,  JAY  COUNTY. 


99 


The  New  York  Store. 

BARGAINS  IN 

GENERAL  MERCHANDISE, 

Portland’s  Great  Department  Store, 

THE  PLACE  TO 

BUY  WHAT  YOU  WANT 

AT  POPULAR  PRICES. 

VISIT  THE  NEW  YORK  STORE. 

Cartwright  & Headlngton 

Portland,  Indiana, 

Alexandria,  Indiana, 

Upland,  Indiana, 

Dry  Goods  & Clothing 

BOOTS  AND  SHOES. 

Largest  Stock  of  Carpets, 

Largest  Stock  of  Clothing, 

Largest  Stock  Boots  and  Shoes, 

Largest  Stock  Dry  Goods. 
Lowest  Prices  in  Eastern  Indiana. 

THE  PUBLIC  INVITED  TO  CALL. 

Cartwright  & Headington, 

THE  LEADERS. 


IOO 


PORTLAND,  JAY  COUNTY. 


SKINNER  BROS., 

Marble  - Granite  Works 


PORTLAND,  IND., 

DEALERS  IN 

All  kinds  oi  Foreign  & American  Marble  & Granite 

IVl  O l\l  UIVl  ENTS. 


FINE  WORK  A SPECIALTY, 


PORTLAND,  JAY  COUNTY. 


IOI 


GRAIN  CGnPANY, 

JASON  HENLEY,  Prop’r. 


COME  AND  SEE  US. 

We  are  Headquarters  for 

Agricultural 

Implements^ 

AND  HIGH  GRADE  VEHICLES 
OF  ALL  KINDS. 

Opp  & Williamson, 

Red  Key,  Ind. 


Portland,  Ind. 


102 


PORTLAND,  JAY  COUNTY. 


Furniture.  v 

You  will  always  find  the 
Largest  Stock  and 
Best  Assortment .... 
and  Lowest  Prices  in 
Furniture,  at 

JOHN  CRING’S  STORE, 

WEST  WALNUT  ST. 


When  you  are  in  need  of 

Dry  Goods,  Dress  Goods, 
Millinery,  Notions  and 
Cloaks,  visit  the 
Cincinnati  Store. 

More  Goods  for  your  Money  than 
any  store  in  Jay  County. 

...LEADERS  OF  LOW  PRICES... 
Cincinnati  Store. 


PORTLAND,  JAY  COUNTY. 


103 


CENTENNIAL  MILLING  CO., 


AND  DEALERS  IN  GRAIN. 


CALL  ON rrtx. 

J,  I JOHINJSOrsI 

IF  YOU  WANT  ANY 

FIRST-CLASS  IMPLEMENTS. 


WHEAT  DRILLS:  Superior  and  Buckeye  Wheat  Drills. 

6-Foot  Standard  Mowing  Machine:  The  frictionless  6-foot 

Mower  compels  the  surrender  of  all  opposition.  Lightest  draft 
of  all  machines  for  cutting  grass. 

Hay  Loaders  and  Steel  and  Wood  Rakes. 

Riding  and  Walking  Cultivators:  The  Conklin,  John  Deere. 
The  Malta  and  Tongueless  Riding. 

Wagons:  The  Turnbull  and  Tiffin. 

Also  a full  line  of  General  Hardware  and  Building  Materials, 
Doors  and  Sash. 


04 


PORTLAND,  JAY  COUNTY. 


GEO.  W.  BARNES,  Pres’t.  THOS.  McDONALD,  Gen’l  Sec’y. 

the  union  supply  m hardware  co., 

DEALERS  IN 

Oil  and  Gas  Well  Supplies,  General  Hardware 

- i 

JtND  STOVES. 


Our  Stores  are  Located  at  the  Principal  Points  Throughout  the  County. 

THE  CITY  HARNESS  SHOP, 

J.  N.  HOLLOWAY, 

Harness,  Dusters  and  Whips, 

Robes,  Blankets  and  Horse  Clothing. 


.Cash  Paid  tor  Hides,  Pelts,  Tallow  and  Furs. 


PORTLAND,  JAY  COUNTY. 


105 


CUNNINGHAM  BROS., 
Music  Dealers,  Portland,  Indiana. 

OLDEST,  LARGEST,  BEST  III  EASTERR  lllDIAnA. 


All  the  Leading 

PIAI105  Ann  ORGAIIS 

bought  direct  from  the 
factories  and  sold  on 
easy  terms  at  low  prices. 
Correspondence  solicited. 

Cunningham  Bros. 


io6 


PORTLAND,  JAY  COUNTY. 


When  you  go  to  Portland,  go  to  the 

FEED  YARD 

and  have  your  horses  taken  care  of.  South  Meridian  street,  close 
to  the  Salamonia  River,  opposite  Turner’s  old  buggy  store. 
Horses  fed  by  the  day  or  week. 

I.  NORTH,  Proprietor. 


A.  J.  HOLMES, 

Dealer  in  ladies’  and  gents’  furnishing  goods,  notions,  groc- 
eries and  cured  meats.  Terms  with  the  lowest  for  cash.  Quick 
sales  and  small  profits  my  motto.  Call  and  see  me  and  learn 
prices.  Location,  North  Meridian  street,  near  G.  R.  & I.  R.  R. 


Call  at  W.  J.  RAINIER,  The  Barber. 


WALTERS  & DARRAH, 

Dealers  in  Fresh  and  Cured  Meats,  Poultry,  Game,  & c. 
Strictly  pure  Lard  a specialty.  No.  70  West  Main  street. 


W.  H.  MULL, 

Manufacturer  of  Boots  and  Shoes.  Fine  sewed  work  a 
specialty.  Repairing  neatly  done.  Employ  only  first-class  work- 
men and  guarantee  satisfaction.  Prices  reasonable. 


PORTLAND,  JAY  COUNTY. 


107 


R.  H.  DENNEY, 

Proprietor  City  Book  and  Jewelry  store.  Fine  watch  repair- 
ing a specialty.  Dealer  in  watches,  clocks,  jewelry,  books,  sta- 
tionery, wall  paper,  pianos,  organs,  sewing  machines  and  supplies. 


PEOPLES’  BANK. 

Capital  and  surplus,  $87,000.00.  Officers:  J.  M.  Haynes, 

President  Mm.  Newton,  Vice  President;  W.  M.  Haynes,  Cashier; 
W.  A.  Moorman,  Assistant  Cashier.  Directors:  A.  Lupton, 

Thos.  F.  Moorman,  J.  G.  Crowell,  Wm.  Xewton,  Jos.  Kidder, 
T.  M.  Havnes,  C.  F.  Headington. 

PORTLAND,  IND. 


W.  G.  REMHURD, 

Merchant  Tailor. 


PERDIEU  BROS., 

Fine  candies,  choice  fruits,  cigars  and  tobacco.  No.  31  North 
Meridian  street. 


W.  H.  HOOD, 

Wholesale  dealer  in  Groceries,  Fruits  and  Vegetables.  Nos. 
23,  27,  29  and  31  Walnut  street.  Telephone  No.  17. 

PORTLAND,  IND. 


io8 


PORTLAND,  JAY  COUNTY. 


THE  COMMERCIAL. 

Daily  and  Weekly, 

PORTLAND,  IND. 


1 YOUNT  & EWRY, 

(Successors  to  T.  S.  Johnson.) 

Dealers  in  Stoves,  1 'in ware  and  house-furnishing  Goods,  Gas 
Fixtures,  Silverware,  Table  and  Pocket  Cutlery.  Spouting,  Tin 
and  Slate  Roofing  a specialty. 

PORTLAND,  IND. 


THE  MODEL, 

The  Leading.  One-Price  Clothiers, 

PORTLAND,  IND. 


CITIZENS’  BANK  OF  PORTLAND. 

Organized  1875.  Capital  and  surplus,  $69,000.  W.  H. 
Reed,  President;  Isaac  Silvernale,  Vice-President;  N.  B.  Haw- 
kins, Cashier:  J.  A.  Jaqua,  Assistant  Cashier. 


Go  to  HELEN  ROSS 

For  your  Livery  and  to  get  your  horses  feck  south  side  of  Main  St. 


R.  F.  VANTILBURG, 

City  Bakery  and  Restaurant.  Fresh  Bread,  Cakes,  Pies,  &c. 
Oysters  and  Ice  Cream  in  season.  Meals,  25  cents.  Fine  Cigars 
and  Tobacco  a specialty.  35  Meridian  street. 


PORTLAND,  JAY  COUNTY. 


109 


D.  F.  CUNNINGHAM, 

Dealer  in  Drugs,  Medicines,  Paints  and  Oils,  Painters’  Sup- 
ulies,-  Notions,  Perfumery,  Toilet  and  Fancy  Articles. 

PORTLAND,  IND. 

PORTLAND  STEAM  LAUNDRY, 

W.  A.  Sherwood,  Proprietor.  Agents  work  a specialty. 
Corner  of  Walnut  and  Commerce  streets.  Phone  16. 


Call  and  See  WM.  E..  MARSH, 
Cash  Grocer. 


HUMPHRIES  & HAYNES, 

Grocery  and  Meat  Market. 


J.  H.  SCHWARTZ, 

Eclipse  Studio.  Photo  rooms,  89  North  Meridian  street. 
Reed  & Mackenbach  block. 

J.  H.  SCHWARTZ, 

For  Pictures  in  Platinum  and  Gloss  Finish.  All  work  guar- 
anteed at  bottom  prices. 


IIO 


PORTLAND,  JAY  COUNTY. 


SILVERS  ARCADE, 

Wholesale  and  retail  dealer  in  General  Merchandise. 


S.  H.  WILLIAMS  BRO., 

General  blacksmiths.  Plow  work  and  horse  shoeing  a specialty. 
R.  W.  Randel.  L.  S.  Amos.  J.  B.  Thornton.  R.  L.  Hearn. 


THE  RANDLE  PATENT  AGENCY, 

Portland,  Indiana,  and  Washington,  D.  C. 

Patents  obtained  in  all  countries,  patents,  trade-marks,  labels, 
re-issues  and  copyrights,  obtained  for  inventors  and  authors. 
The  sale  of  patents  negotiated  and  all  kinds  of  patent  business 
tranaeted.  The  name  and  address  of  all  the  leading  manufac- 
turers in  the  line  of  your  patent  for  $i. 

ROBERT  W.  RANDEL,  Manager. 


f.  m.  & c.  w.  McLaughlin, 

Abstracters,  real  estate,  loan  and  insurance  agents. 

PORTLAND.  IND. 


WM.  GOODZIKE,  The  Barber. 


W..  P.  JONES, 


The  Dentist. 


PORTLAND,  JAY  COUNTY. 


Ill 


HEADINGTON  & LA  FOLLETTE, 
Lawyers. 


LOUIS  J.  BRUNER, 
Pension  and  Claim  Attorney. 


DR.  M.  F.  JAY, 

Diseases  of  the  Eye  and  Ear  only.  Office  hours:  8:30  to 

11 130  a.  m.,  1 130  to  4:30,  6:30  ^7:30  p.  m.;  Sundays,  3:30  to  4:30 
p.  m.  Marsh-Sebring  block,  near  Merchants  Hotel. 


BAILEY  & WHIPPLE, 

Attorneys-at-Law.  Loans.  Real  Estate  and  Insurance. 


W.  A.  Hart.  Will  Relley. 

HART  & RELLEY, 
Attorneys-at-Law.  Collections  a specialty. 


Frank  H.  Snyder.  Geo.  Bergman. 

SNYDER  & BERGMAN, 

Attorneys-at-  Law. 

It  is  with  pleasure  that  we  can  inform  our  patrons  and  friends  that 


I 12 


PORTLAND,  JAY  COUNTY 


Call  at  The  REPUBLICAN  Office. 
F.  W.  MINCH. 


BUNER  & DENNEY, 

Staple  and  Fancy  Groceries.  Meridian  street. 


STURGEON  BROS., 

Livery,  Sale  and  Feed  Stable.  Good  rigs  with  or  without 
drivers.  Terms  reasonable.  Traveling  patronage  solicited. 
Corner  Main  and  Commerce  streets,  west  of  Court  House.  Tele- 
phone 27. 


Call  at  CHRIS  HEASON’S 

Reastaurant.  Opposite  Court  House. 


Buy  your  Boots,  Shoes  and  Harness  of 

R.  R.  ROWE. 

Try  him  when  you  need  Boots,  Shoes  and  Harness, 
save  you  money. 


PORTLAND, 


He  will 
IND. 


CHAS.  O.  SPAHR, 

Dealer  in  Fancy  Groceries.  Fruits  and  Vegetables  a spe- 
cialty. No.  59  North  Meridian  street. 


PORTLAND,  JAY  COUNTY. 


13 


You  are  kindly  invited  to  call  at  the  store  of  the  undersigned 
when  wishing  anything  in  the  line  of  Pure  Drugs  and  Medicines, 
Select  Toilet  Articles,  Choice  Perfumes,  Fancy  Goods,  etc.  The 
finest  brand  of  Foreign  and  Domestic  Cigars.  Pure  Wines  and 
Liquors  for  medicinal  use.  Physicians’  prescriptions  prepared 
with  greatest  care  and  accuracy. 

JULIUS  MARSH, 

PORTLAND,  IND. 


J.  W.  WHERLY, 

PORTLAND,  IND. 


For  a first-class  shave  or  hair  cut  call  on  A.  C.  Mix,  West 
Main  street.  Yours, 


A.  C.  MIX. 


Call  at  L.  A.  WINTER’S 

Tailor  Shop  for  fist-class  work. 


IRVIN  RHODES, 

Manufacturer  of  fine  Cigars.  Private  brands  to  order  a spe- 
cialty. Opposite  G.  R.  & I.  depot. 


PORTLAND,  JAY  COUNTY. 


114 


THE  OHIO  FARMERS’  INSURANCE  CO. 

Is  again  a million  dollar  company,  with  a surplus  of  over 
$100,000.00.  Tke  fact  that  this  company  has  made  such  gains 
show  us  that  the  pople  have  confidence  in  the  “Honest  Old  Ohio 
Farmers.”  A good  story  will  stand  twice  telling — “Insure  in  the 
Ohio  Farmers!”  “Insure  in  the  Ohio  Farmers!” 

PURMORT  BROS.,  Agents, 

Rooms,  Hawkins’  block — with  Baily  & Whipple. 


T.  R.  TURNER, 

Dealer  in  Buggies  and  Waggons. 


GEORGE  RAMSEY  & CO., 

Dealers  in  Fresh  and  Salt  Meats  and  Dressed  Poultry  on 
Saturdays.  We  pay  cash  for  cattle,  veal,  hogs,  poultry,  hides  and 
tallow.  Yours  respectfully, 

GEORGE  RAMSEY  & CO. 


Call  on  R.  SMITH 

If  you  want  a clean  shave,  hair  cut  and  shampoo. 


PORTLAND  SUN. 


1 • 


PALMER’S  BUGGIES  saves  $ $ $ $ 


PORTLAND,  JAY  COUNTY. 


115 


J.  W.  BROWN, 

Confectionery  and  Fruits.  West  Main  street. 


W.  O.  WELDON, 

Merchants’  Hotel, 

PORTLAND,  IND. 


MRS.  DELLA  WATSON, 

Fashionable  Dressmaking. 


GREEN  & BAKER, 

Dealers  in  Hay,  Corn,  Oats  and  Ground  Feed  of  all  kinds. 
Feed  barn,  East  Main  street. 


JONES’  CYCLE  CO., 

Special  high  grade  Wheels  made  to  order.  Pattern,  model 
and  experimental  work.  Specialties  in  repairing:  BicycleSj 

Locks,  Lawn  Mowers,  Upholstering,  Baby  Carriages,  Pumps 
and  Saw  Filing. 


J.  N.  HEADINGTON, 

Proprietor  of  the  Headington  Restaurant.  Best  kmch 
counter  in  the  city.  Board  by  the  day,  week  or  meal.  26  North 
Meridian  street. 


1 16 


PENNVILLE,  JAY  COUNTY. 


Books,  Stationery,  Notions  of  all  kinds, 
their  good  will  and  patronage. 


PENNVILLE,  JAY  COUNTY. 


117 


Medicines,  Paints,  Oils,  Wall  Paper, 
we  greet  our  friends  as  candidates  for 

Yours  Respectfully, 

TEETER  & TEETER. 


is 


PENNVIIXB,  JAY  COUNTY. 


W.  G.  WALTZ. 

LIVERY,  FEED  AND  SALE  STABLE, 

PENNVILLE,  /A/D. 

Good  Rigs,  with  or  without  Drivers,  Furnished  on  Short  Notice, 

Day  or  Night. 

The  Patronage  of  the  Traveling  Public  is  Especially  Solicited. 


PROMPTNESS  AND  DISPATCH  OUR  MOTTO. 


J.  D.  SHITH.  E.  R.  SniTH. 

J.  D.  SMITH  St  SON. 


UNDERTAKERS 


Furniture,  Stoves,  Carpets, 


Hardware,  Etc.  . . . 


PENNVILLE,  JAY  COUNTY. 


119 


CORY’S 


• ••• 


ANDY  D.  PARKS, 

DEALER  IN 

DRY  GOODS,  GROCERIES  and 

FRUITS. 

Also  Buggies,  Wagons  and  a 
COMPLETE  LINE  OF 


FARM  IMPLEMENTS. 


120 


PENNVILLE,  JAY  COUNTY. 


SAMUEL  COOVER, 

Coover  Hotel, 

PENNVILLE,  INDIANA. 


SAMUEL  MASON,  M.  D., 

PENNVILLE,  INDIANA. 


T.  J.  BARR, 

Restaurant.  Boarding  by  day,  week  or  meal.  Fine  cigars 
and  tobaccos,  fresh  fruits  and  candies. 


HOOVER  & CO., 

Dealers  in  Tin,  Stoves  and  Hardware.  Roofing  and  Sheeting. 


F.  A.  MASHISON, 

Restaurant  and  Bakery. 


F.  E.  MOYER,  M.  D., 

Calls  answered  promptly  from  office,  night  or  day.  Office, 
opposite  Coover  House. 


PENNVILXE,  JAY  COUNTY. 


12 1 


THE  PENNVILLE  BANK. 

Adelma  Lupton,  President;  A.  Grant  Lupton,  Vice  President; 
John  S.  Emmons,  Cashier.  A general  banking  business  trans- 
acted. Special  attention  given  to  collections. 


JOHN  RHINE, 

Proprietor  of  Camden  Roller  Flouring  Mills,  manufacturer 
of  Wheat,  Buckwheat  and  Rye  Flour  and  Ground  Feed.  Cash 
paid  for  wheat. 


THE  PENNVILLE  GAZETTE. 


WM.  LUCKS, 

Blacksmith  and  repair  shop. 


A.  H.  BAILY, 

Harness  maker,  has  again  located  in  Pennville  with  a neat 
and  new  stock  of  Harness.  All  are  hand-made  goods.  Repair- 
ing neatly  arid  promptly  done.  All  work  guaranteed. 


GRUNL  & LEA, 


Blacksmith  and  repair  work. 


22 


BALBECK,  JAY  COUNTY. 


WILLIAMS  & EDMUNDSON, 

Boots,  Shoes, 

Rubbers  and 

Harness. 


L.  H.  COLBERT, 

Senerat  Cheap  Cash  Store  / 

All  kinds  of  Fancy  Groceries,  Dry 
Goods,  Notions,  Hats,  Caps,  Gent’s 
Furnishing  Goods,  Jewelry,  Cut- 
lery, General  Hardware  and 
Woodenware,  Pumps,  Guns,  Bicy- 
cles, Garden  Tools,  Garden  Seeds, 
Queensware,  Glassware,  Patent 
Medicines,  Oils,  Paints  and  every- 
thing commonly  kept  in  a first- 
class  General  Store,  and  at 

PRICES  AS  CHEAP  AS  THE  CHEAPEST. 

Our  aim  is  to  please  in  Qality, 

Quanty  and  Price 


RIDGE  VILLE,  JAY  COUNTY. 


123 


Why  pay  60  to  90c.  a rod  for  fence  when  you  can 
make  the  BEST  WOVEN  WIRE  FENCE  ON 
EARTH,  Horse-High,  Bull-Strong,  Pig  and 
Chicken  Tight,  for  12  to  20  CENTS  A ROD. 

A man  and  boy  can  make  from  40  to  60  rods^a 
day.  Illustrated  Catalogue  Free. 

ORNAMENTAL  FENCE.  If  you  have  a 
Lawn,  nothing  in  the  world  would  be  a substitute 
for  our  Fine  Ornamental  Fence.  Beautiful,  Dura- 
ble, Strong  and  Cheap.  Plain  galvanized  FENCE 
WIRE  sold  to  Farmers  at  wholesale  prices. 

Circulars  and  Price  List  Free. 


KITSELMAN  BROS. 


BOX  92,  RIDGEVILLE,  INDIANA. 


124 


BRYANT,  JAY  COUNTY. 


HENRY  HOOKERY, 

Manufacturer  of  Brick  and  Tile. 


W.  H.  ELBERSON, 

Druggist  and  Hardware. 


J.  S.  MILLER, 

Grocery  and  Restaurant. 


W.  W.  BUTCHER, 

Wholesale  dealer  in  Butter,  Eggs  and  Poultry.  Business, 
$25,000  a year. 


GROGG  & FOSE, 

Dry  Goods,  Boots  and  Shoes  and  Groceries. 


Consult  with  DR.  S.  D.  GREY, 

The  Cancer  specialist.  My  past  and  uniform  success  en- 
courages me  in  promising  full  satisfaction  to  all  whom  I treat. 
Over  thirty  years’  practice  in  this  special  line. 


BRYANT,  JAY  COUNTY. 


125 


Trade  at  the  BIG  STORE. 

We  positively  carry  the  largest  and  most  complete  line  in  the 
way  of  Dry  Goods,  Boots,  Shoes,  Groceries,  Queensware,  etc. 
In  fact,  everything  to  be  found  in  a complete,  well  regulated  gen- 
eral store.  Highest  market  price  paid  for  country  produce. 

W.  E.  GEORGE, 

BRYANT,  IND. 


WILLIAMS  & CO., 

Manufacturers  of  Waggons,  Buggies,  Surries  and  Jaggers, 


BRYANT,  INDIANA. 

Call  on  I.  A.  WIBLE  for  your  livery. 

BRYANT  HOTEL, 

Green  Street,  proprietor.  Also,  livery  feed  and  sales  stable. 
Good  rigs  always  on  hand,  with  or  without  drivers.  Also,  see 
his  fine  hand-made  harness,  which  can  not  be  excelled. 


126 


DUNKIRK,  JAY  COUNTY. 


DALY  & WEEICLEY  STORE, 

DUNKIRK,  IND. 


THE  FIRST  NATIONAL  BANK, 

DUNKIRK,  IND. 

Capital,  $50,000.00;  surplus,  $40,000.00.  Op  ned  for  busi- 
ness May  5,  1893.  Earl  W.  Merry,  President;  John  W.  Rees, 
Vice-President;  Myron  L.  Case,  Cashier.  Directors:  C.  P. 

Cole,  J.  B.  Newton,  T.  H.  Johnson,  Edwin  Hoover.  We  solicit 
your  patronage. 


Clinton  P.  Cole.  Luther  I.  Baker. 

COLE  & BAKER, 

Attorneys-at-Law. 


HOTEL  TAFT,. 

James  Taft,  Proprietor, 

DUNKIRK,  IND. 


FERTICH  & MURRAY, 

Physicians  and  Surgeons.  Mitchell  block.  Phone,  office, 
31 ; residence,  41.  . 


S.  CONNER, 

Prorpietor  of  the  Cottage  Hotel.Rates,  $1.00  per  day.  No. 
26  Railroad  street. 


FRANCE  & SCHELLERT, 


Dealers  in  Fresh  and  Salt  Meats. 


DUNKIRK,  JAY  COUNTY. 


127 


M.  S.  CUNNINGHAM, 


Dealer  in  Drugs,  Books,  Wall  Paper  &c.  A druggist  of 
over  twenty  years’  experience.  Prepares  some  very  valuable 
remedies  of  his  own  getting  up,  such  as  Cholera  Balm,  Compound 
Cough  Syrup  and  Toothache  Remedy.  No  family  should  be 
without  either  of  these  remedies.  Price  of  Cholera  Balm,  25c 
bottle;  Cough  Syrup,  25c  bottle;  Tothache  Remedy,  10c.  If 
once  tried  you  never  will  be  without  them.  Send  for  a bottle  of 
each  at  once. 

DUNKIRK,  IND. 


MRS.  DORA  CHRISMAN, 

Fine  Millinery  and  Notions.Michell  block. 


ANNA  CARPENTER,  Milliner, 

DUNKIRK,  IND. 


ALBRIGHT  & BLOKETZ, 

Manufacturers  of  Fine  Cigars.  Smoke  Havana  Bloom,  our 
special  5c  cigar. 


R.  J.  BARNES  & CO., 

Manufacturers  of  Perfection  Flour  and  dealers  in  Flour, 
Meal,  Feed,  Grain,  etc.  We  make  a specialty  of  high  grade  flour. 


M.  C.  Carl.  O.  Ford. 

CARL  & FORD, 

General  blacksmithing,  buggy,  waggon  and  repair  shop. 
North  Main  street. 


128 


REDKEY,  JAY  COUNTY. 


J.  W.  CURTICE, 

Dealer  in  Diamonds,  Watches,  Clocks,  Jewelry,  etc.  Re- 
pairing a specialty. 


JOHNSON  & DITRO, 

Blacksmith  and  Repair  Shop. 


JOHN  H.  CHRISTMAN, 

Dealer  in  Fancy  Groceries,  Dry  Goods  and  Notions. 


MAY  & HINSEY, 

Dealers  in  Staple  and  Fancy  Groceries,  Oueensware,  etc. 


REDKEY  TIMES, 

REDKEY,  INDIANA. 


GotoJ.  R.  DUDLEY’S 

Restaurant  for  your  meals. 


t.  g.  McDonald,  m.  d., 

Physician  and  Surgeon.  South  High  street. 


PENNVILLE,  JAY  COUNTY. 


129 


A\CX£>£\ 

\^GY0VV 


THOMAS  E.  BORDER, 


DEALER  IN  ALL  KINDS  OF 


Saddlery  and  Harness. 


V^CYDVV 


130 


PENNVIIXE,  JAY  COUNTY. 


LEWIS  O.  WALLING, 


DEALER  IN 

Drugs  & Druggists’  Specialties, 

STATIONERY.  BOOKS. 

NOTIONS  . . . 

AND  TOILET  GOODS.  . . . 

Oils,  Drugs,  Paints,  Varnishes,  Tube  Paints,  Paint  Brushes,  Pocket  Cutlery, 
Cigars  and  Tobaccos,  School  Supplies,  Best  Perfumes,  Fine  Candies, 

1?  fP  jif*  Stationery,  Razors,  Toys.  & & & £ 

TROY  HAVILAND, 

DEALER  IN 

DRY  GOODS,  GROCERIES, 
Roots,  Shoes,  Cured  Meats, 

Vegetables  and  Notions. 

Highest  market  price  for  country 
produce.  Come  and  see  me. 


JAY  COUNTY. 


131 


H.  H.  LOCKER, 

The  genial  harness  maker  keeps  a full  line  of  Harness,  Col- 
lars, Pads,  Whips,  etc.His  work  speaks  for  itself.  See  him. 

NEW  CORYDON,  IND. 


A.  RALSTON,  M.  D., 

NEW  CORYDON,  IND. 


J.  W.  BOEHM, 

The  blasksmith,  manufacturer  of  Buggies,  Carriages  and 
Waggosn.  General  repairing  done. 


THE  RIDGEVILLE  BANK, 

Does  a general  banking,  exchange  and  collection  business. 
M.  T.  Sumption,  banker;  M.  A.  Mastick,  cashier. 

RIDGEVILLE,  IND. 


White,  THE  DRUGGIST,  of  course. 

RIDGEVILLE,  IND. 


HOTEL  SEANEY, 

Leading  hotel.  Only  office  and  sample  room  in  town. 
Rates,  $1.50  per  day.  Luther  Hawthorne,  Proprietor. 

RIDGEVILLE,  IND. 


KEEP  COOL. 


Call  for  PLACE’S  Ice  Cream  and  Soft  Drinks. 

Have  no  other. 

Write  for  Prices  for  Picnics  and  Public  Gatherings. 


Decatdr,  Ind.  vJ.  W.  PLACE. 


132 


JAY  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  I. 

REUNION  OF  THE  COATS  FAMILY. 


On  Sunday,  September  i,  a reunion  of  the  Coats  family  was 
held  in  W.  R.  Diehl’s  grove,  four  miles  west  of  Winchester. 
Music,  and  speaking  by  A.  J.  Studebaker  was  the  order  of  the 
forenoon  exercises,  after  which  a table  about  two  hundred  feet 
long  was  loaded  with  the  choicest  the  country  affords,  all  hands 
doing  what  they  could  to  hide  from  view  as  much  of  the  good 
things  in  sight  as  possible. 

Elder  D.  S.  Davenport  invoked  the  Divine  blessing,  after 
which  there  was  an  engagement  of  a half-hours  duration  in  which 
knives  and  forks  were  dexterously  used.  Verily  to  the  victors 
belong  the  spoils,  as  after  the  smoke  had  cleared  away  it  was 
quite  perceptible  that  much  had  been  accomplished,  yet,  after  all 
had  been  satisfied  that  all  could  not  be  eaten,  there  was  enough 
left  to  raise  another  generation  of  Coatses.  After  dinner  the 
brass  band  from  Saratoga  rendered  some  excellent  music,  inter- 
spersed with  some  choice  selections  from  the  choir,  after  which 
Robert  Dodd  was  introduced  and  in  a very  entertaining  manner 
gave  a detailed  history  of  the  Coats  family.  He  said  that  grand- 
father, John  Coats,  was  born  in  North  Carolina  in  the  year  1787, 
and  grandmother,  Sally  Wright  Coats,  was  bom  in  the  same 
state  in  the  year  1788.  They  were  married  in  1808,  moving  soon 
thereafter  to  Covington,  Ohio,,  where  the're  were  six  children  born 
to  them,  viz.:  Thomas  W.,  Isaac,  Charlotte,  Charity,  William 

and  James.  In  the  year  1819  they  came  to  Randolph  County, 
then  almost  an  unknown  wilderness,  stopping  on  the  farm  now 
occupied  by  Tyre  Puckett,  our  present  Township  Trustee. 


JAY  COUNTY. 


133 


Grandfather  Coats  entered  the  land  he  selected  for  a home  three 
miles  east  of  Winchester,  on  the  Big  Four  railroad,  where  there 
were  fourteen  children  born  to  them,  two  dying  in  infancy.  They 
raised  twelve  children  to  man  and  womanhood,  all  married  and 
settled  around  them  so  near  that  they  could  go  home  for  break- 
fast. Grandfather  Coats  was  Justice  of  the  Peace  when  that  office 
done  about  all  the  legal  business  of  the  county.  He  was  a man 
of  almost  iron  constitution,  working  by  the  day  for  the  support 
of  his  large  family  and  clearing  his  farm  after  night.  With  the 
assistance  of  grandmother  they  struggled  through,  making  their 
clothing  from  the  lint  or  flax  and  skins  of  animals,  going  on 
horseback  to  Richmond,  Indiana,  to  mill  through  almost  impene- 
trable forests,  being  frequently  disturbed  by  Indians  and  wild 
beasts.  .Their  house  was  a stopping  place  for  travelers  in  the  early 
settlement  of  the  county,  many  weary,  hungry  traveler  found  a 
welcome  beneath  their  friendly  roof.  Grandfather  and  Grand- 
mother Coats  belonged  to  the  society  of  Friends  and  led  an  up- 
right, honorable  life,  ever  ready  to  extend  a helping  hand  to  those 
less  fortunate  than  themselves.  They  lived  to  a ripe  old  age  and 
were  gathered  to  their  Father  as  a shock  of  corn  cometh  in  its 
season.  The  Coats  family  have  been  closely  identified  with  the 
history  of  Randolph  County. 

Other  speeches  were  made  by  Ann  Coats,  Joel  Pickett,  D.  S. 
Davenport,  G.  C.  Shultz,  S.  D.  Coats  and  A.  J.  Studebaker.  A 
pleasant  feature  of  the  afternoon  exercise  was  the  spinning  of  flax 
with  an  old-fashioned  spinning  wheel  by  the  only  living  daughter, 
Aunt  Polly  Pogue,  seventy-four  years  old,  who  was  placed  upon 
the  platform  and  the  entire  crowd  passed  around  and  saw  how 
the  clothing  of  our  grand-parents  was  made.  After  the  exercises 
were  concluded  the  family  was  formed  and  marched  out  and 
counted,  there  being  180  present.  Charles  Pierce  was  present 
with  his  camera  and  took  a picture  of  the  group. 

An  organization  was  effected  by  the  election  of  D.  S.  Daven- 
port, president;  Otis  Coats,  treasurer;  George  Coats,  secretary, 
and  Ann  Coats,  assistant  secretary.  W.  Diehl,  Robert  Dodd, 
Simeon  Cox,  S.  D.  Coats  and  Simon  Snyder  were  appointed  a 
committee  of  arrangements  for  our  next  annual  reunion. 

The  Coats  family  are  good  eaters,  but  Seth  can  surround 
more  saltrising  bread  than  most  men  of  his  size.  W.  R.  Deihl 
brought  down  the  house  by  singing  in  a most  laughable  manner 
“The  Old  Arm  Chair.”  There  were  other  features  of  the  occa- 
sion deserving  mention,  but  for  fear  of  being  consigned  to  the 
waste  basket,  I will  close. 


GEORGE  COATS,  Secretary. 


*34 


JAY  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  II. 

As  time  in  its  onward  and  never  ceasing  march  shortens  the 
path  of  life,  we  are  many  times  made  to  feel  sad  when  our  thoughts 
carry  us  back  to  the  happy  days  of  childhood — mixed  here  and 
there  by  a dark  page  as  the  sands  of  life  grow  less.  I am  almost 
the  last  and  only  survivor  of  the  small  village  of  Portland  of  57 
years  ago.  No  doubt  there  are  yet  some  left  to  call  to  mind  the 
childish  thoughts  of  years  long  ago.  The  few  links  that  have  held 
together  the  great  chain  of  memory  are  well  nigh  severed  by  the 
ravages  of  time. 

On  the  22nd  day  of  August,  1838,  my  father,  Jason  Whipple, 
started  from  Delaware  County,  Ohio,  with  his  family,  consisting 
of  my  mother  and  six  children.  The  time  that  it  took  to  reach 
Jay  County,  Indiana,  was  six  days.  On  the  night  of  the  24th  of 
August  we  camped  on  the  hill  where  the  Prospect  church  now 
stands,  three  miles  east  of  Deerfield,  Randolph  County,  Indiana. 
This  was  Saturday  night.  In  the  morning,  Sunday,  the  teams 
drove  through  Deerfield  and  one  of  the  teamsters  bought  of  old 
Edward  Edger  two  plugs  of  what  is  now  called  “dog-leg”  tobacco 
for  5 cents.  The  teams  drove  across  the  Massasinewa  river  where 
now  stands  a store  house  which,  until  a few  years  ago,  was  oc- 
cupied by  one  of  the  young  Collinses.  It  was  a beautiful  morn- 
ing, and  very  dry.  The  entire  journey  was  made  without  a drop 
of  rain,  and  many  times  it  was  hard  to  find  water  for  the  horses  or 
even  for  family  use.  The  road  from  old  Deerfield  north  was  just 
a single  track  that  wound  round  stumps  such  as  usually  beset  a 
new  cut  road.  The  teams  reached  Whipple  Cook’s,  who  lived  in 
a log  cabin  18x24,  with  a fire  place  in  the  north  end.  His  family 
consisted  of  himself,  wife  and  five  children ; and,  when  my  father’s 
family  was  added,  as  the  reader  may  well  imagine,  standing  room 
was  at  a premium. 


JAY  COUNTY. 


135 


Of  course  my  father  supposed  that  the  man  who  lived  on  the 
land  he  had  entered  in  August,  1836,  would  vacate  the  premises 
as  per  agreement.  But  he  did  not,  and  father  was  compelled  to 
set  him  out  by  a writ  of  ejectment ; and  then  he  would  not  cut  up 
the  corn  that  grew  on  a small  patch  that  had  been  cleared  around 
the  house.  The  cabin  stood  on  the  high  ground  almost  directly 
north  of  the  cemetery  at  Liber.  After  Phillip  Brown  was  dis- 
possessed of  his  pretended  home  my  father  moved  into  the  cabin 
— 16x20 — on  the  last  day  of  September.  There  still  came  no 
rain,  and  water  became  alarmingly  scarce.  The  little  Salamonia 
was  as  dry  as  the  slab  road,  with  only  a small  pond  here  and  there. 
However,  later  on,  the  water  seemed  to  get  clear  and  pure.  That 
fall,  or  in  the  fall  of  1838,  father  hired  E.  B.  Kikendall,  formerly 
of  your  city,  Jackson  Knapp  and  Edward  Kikendall,  to  make 
4,000  rails,  and  they  boarded  with  us,  all  stowed  in  that  little  16x20 
cabin.  Well,  I confess  I am  unable  to  tell  just  how  we  did  get 
along.  My  father  did  little  else  but  hunt.  Deer  were  so  plenti- 
ful that  no  day  did  he.  fail  to  get  one  or  more.  They  were  in 
splendid  condition  and  we  did  not  lack  for  meat  of  that  kind. 

About  the  1st  of  November,  1838,  one  Joshua  Penock 
brought  a barrel  of  flour  and  sold  it  to  my  father  and  Ammon 
Cook,  who  landed  in  Jay  County  about  the  1st  of  October  of  that 
year.  He  came  from  Massachusetts  by  way  of  Toledo  and  Fort 
Wayne.  The  flour  was  brought  from  Fountain  City,  then  called 
Newport.  There  was  no  way  by  which  the  flour  could  be 
divided  equally,  so  father  sawed  the  barrel  in  two  at  the  center, 
first  spreading  a sheet  on  the  ground  and  rolling  the  barrel  upon 
it  to  save  any  possible  waste  that  might  result  from  this  novel  rule 
of  division.  This  man  Penock  then  lived  directly  west  of  the 
ho  htouse,  one  and  one-half  mile  south  of  Portland.  The  old 
cabin  was  occupied  in  after  years  by  John  Peterson,  Robert  Stran- 
ahan  and  others  wThose  names  I cannot  now  call  to  mind.  The 
first  fried  cake  or  doughnut  was  made  from  some  of  that  flour  and 
fried  in  coon  fat. 

Along  in  November,  the  fall  of  ’38,  father  went  hunting,  as 
he  did  almost  every  day,  back  in  the  woods.  He  was  coming 
home,  and  it  was  almost  dark,  when  he  saw  a large  coon  coming 
towards  him  and  he  shot  it,  brought  it  home,  took  off  the  hide 
and  then  took  off  a large  flake  of  fat,  mother  rendered  it  out  and 
the  cakes  were  fried  in  the  fat.  The  soda  that  was  used  on  that 
occasion  was  the  melted  ashes  by  burning  a beech  stump  that 
was  hollow  from  ground  to  top.  The  ashes  were  put  in  a crock 
and  water  poured  on,  and  some  of  that  was  used.  Of  course  it 


136 


JAY  COUNTY 


did  not  take  very  much.  Salaratus,  soda  and  baking  powder 
were  things  that  was  not  thought  of  at  that  date.  All  of  this 
came  to  pass  and  a thousand  other  things  that  I am  unable  to 
call  to  mind  after  so  many  long  and  varied  years. 

No  one  can  be  made  to  realize  the  many  privations  that  beset 
the  man  that  went  from  his  home  more  than  half  a century  ago 
to  try  and  make  a home  for  his  wife  and  family.  Things  without 
name  that  made  many  a dark  page  in  the  great  volume  of  a 
pioneer’s  life.  One  great  blessing  was  we  were  blessed  with  good 
health  and  was  always  ready  to  eat  more  than  we  had  to  eat. 
Something  to  keep  us  from  freezing  was  among  the  most  essen- 
tial things  at  that  date.  Shoes  were  almost  out  of  the  question; 
. when  the  ground  was  bare  or  the  snow  dry,  rags  around  the  feet 
were  all  O.  K.  The  winter  of  ’38  was  very  cold  and  dry;  stock 
that  lived  in  the  woods  at  that  date,  with  little  or  no  feed,  suffered 
much  for  the  want  of  water  and  some  died  with  thirst.  s 

Early  in  the  spring  of  ’39  every  old  hunter  of  that  date,  as 
soon  as  the  frost  was  out  of  the  ground  and  the  frogs  began  to 
croak,  started  for  the  woods  to  set  coon  traps  along  the  branches 
and  on  old  logs  that  lay  in  and  across  the  ponds.  It  was  not  a 
common  thing  for  the  ponds  to  go  dry,  but  they  did  in  the  fall 
of  ’38.  The  heavy  snows  that  fell  in  the  winter  of  ’38  and  ’39  went 
off  with  long  continuous  rains,  which  made  high  waters  almost 
everywhere.  Travelers  were  compelled  to  lay  at  fording  places 
until  the  waters  subsided,  which  was  a slow  thing  as  vast  amount 
of  water  was  held  back  by  leaves  and  drift  in  the  ponds  and 
branches.  The  price  of  coon  pelts  at  that  date  made  them  an 
object.  The  money  that  rewarded  the  hunter  in  those  trying 
times  made  many  a glad  heart  and  brought  joy  to  the  cabin  home 
of  the  early  pioneer  of  Jay  County. 

Late  in  March,  ’39,  which  was  well  nigh  the  end  of  the  trap- 
ping season,  my  mother  told  me  to  get  up  and  hurry  to  one  of  my 
traps,  which  was  almost  on  the  old  road  leading  through  my 
father’s  land,  coming  down  from  the  Bickle  settlement  and  le*ad- 
ing  out  to  Richmond  and  Fort  Wayne  state  road,  at  the  corner 
of  Jonas  Votaw’s  land.  C.  H.  Clark  knows  all  about  it,  as  it  was 
the  only  path  by  which  the  Hawkinses,  Mays,  Bickles,  Ensm- 
ingers  and  Hardy  come  to  the  town  of  Portland.  Mother  says  I 
dreamed  that  there  was  a coon  in  the  trap  close  to  the  path  which 
led  to  town.  I jumped  up  and  started  in  my  bare  feet.  There 
was  lots  of  frost  and  the  ground  had  frozen  some,  but  I did  not 
have  any  shoes  or  boots.  I tripped  over  the  little  rise  of  ground, 
and  I could  see  that  my  trap  was  dowm.  My  heart  leaped  with 


JAY  COUNTY. 


137 


anxious  fear  that  the  trap  had  been  thrown  by  something  that 
had  escaped;  but  no,  Mr.  Coon  was  there,  as  dead  as  a chelsy.  It 
was  as  black  as  coal  and  worth  25  cents  more  than  coons  of  a 
lighter  color.  I sold  the  hide  to  Jos.  Nixon  for  one  Mexican  dol- 
lar and  an  old  Spanish  pillared  25-cent  piece.  This  was  the  first 
money  that  I had  ever  owned,  except  four  cents  that  I had  earned 
riding  horse  to  plow  corn  in  the  summer  of  1834.  I worked 
three  days  and  got  four  cents.  The  dollar  I got  for  the  coon  hide 
was,  by  direction  of  my  mother,  spent  with  old  Sallie  Conno  for 
its  value  in  meat.  There  was  a man  who  brought  out  a lot  of 
meat  from  Richmond,  Ind.,  and  left  it  for  old  John  Conno  to  sell. 
She  cut  me  off  a square  chunk  about  8x8  inches  thick,  guessing 
at  the  weight,  and  said  that  it  was  a dollar’s  worth,  and  I took  it. 
Now  my  dollar  was  gone!  I gave  the  25-cent  piece  to  Nathan 
B.  Hawkins  for  a jack-knife.  I never  got  another  dollar  until 
1845,  but  I got  smaller  amounts  that  I sold  gingerbread  for.  My 
father  was  so  poor,  for  several  years  after  we  landed  in  Jay  County, 
that  it  was  out  of  the  question  to  get  enough  to  cover  our  backs, 
and  many  has  been  the  time  that  I have  watched  my  mother’s 
anxious  face  when  she  was  striving  to  get  food  for  her  helpless 
children.  When  the  meal  sack  was  empty  the  situation  was  not 
a pleasant  one  by  any  means.  Many  were  the  silent  tears  that 
moistened  that  careworn  cheek  when  the  mind  traveled  back  to 
the  happy  days  of  childhood,  when  want  and  destitution  were 
strangers.  Words  can  never  tell  any  part  of  the  many  trying 
moments  that  came  to  those  who  settled  in  Jay  County  fifty-seven 
years  ago. 

My  father  sowed  a small  patch  of  wheat  in  the  fall  of  ’38,  and 
of  course  after  harvest  bread  stuff  was  not  so  much  of  an  object, 
as  we  had  a bountiful  yield.  We  threshed  some  of  it  on  the 
ground,  and  the  balance  was  stacked.  And  in  the  winter  of  ’39 
and  ’40  we  hauled  the  entire  stack  down  in  a field  where  there  was 
a pond  that  was  frozen  to  the  bottom.  The  snow  had  fallen  in 
the  water  and  it  froze  and  th£  ice  was  not  smooth.  It  was  all  put 
down  at  one  flooring  and  the  old  oxen  were  driven  up  and  down 
the  pond  until  all  was  threshed.  I went  down  to  where  Green 
Crowell  now  lives,  to  Obadiah  Winters’,  and  hauled  his  fanning 
mill  up  on  the  old  sled  and  the  wheat  was  cleaned,  and  I set  quail 
traps  in  the  chaff.  I made  a trap  that  was  four  feet  square,  and 
I caught  one  dozen  the  first  haul.  I sold  them  the  next  day  to 
Nathan  B.  Hawkins  for  a stiff  round-crown  white  wool  hat.  I 
wore  it  a year  or  so  and  then  sold  it  to  Frederick  Wible,  and  he 
painted  it  red  and  wore  it  till  after  James  K.  Polk’s  election. 


138 


JAY  COUNTY. 


The  people  did  not  know  but  little  of  what  was  going  on  in 
the  world  at  that  date,  as  the  mails  did  not  bring  but  few  letters 
from  those  we  left  back  in  the  land  of  plenty.  The  first  letter 
that  came  to  my  father  was  in  November,  ’39.  The  post-office 
was  kept  by  Daniel  Farbef  in  his  own  cabin  just  across  the  road 
from  the  residence  of  Dr.  Joseph  Watson,  at  College  Corners.  It 
cost  25  cents  and  was  on  the  road  thirteen  days.  It  was  mailed 
at  Hyanis,  Mass.  The  next  letter  came  to  an  office  in  Portland. 
William  Haines  was  postmaster.  The  office  was  kept  in  the 
office  of  Dr.  Dixon  Milligan.  The  building  stood  at  what  is 
the  south  end  of  the  old  Trade  Palace.  That  letter  came  from 
Ohio,  mailed  at  Delaware,  and  was  six  days  on  the  road  and  cost 
25  cents  to  pay  the  postage. 

William  Haines  came  to  Jay  Conty  in  1839  and  built  a place 
to  live  in  by  putting  some  saplings  in  the  ground  on  the  lot  that 
James  Powell  now  lives  on,  south  of  the  Commercial  House.  He 
split  out  clapboards  four  feet  long  and  nailed  them  from  post  to 
post,  and  did  not  have  any  floor  but  mother  earth.  He  staid  there 
until  he  built  on  the  corner  where  the  old  Trade  Palace  now 
stands,  and  with  the  many  additions  that  he  put  to  the  main 
building,  he  run  a hotel,  but  just  how  many  years  I can  not  tell, 
but  it  was  three  or  four. 


LIBRARY 

UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 
URBANA 


JAY  COUNTY. 


139 


CHAPTER  III. 


PIONEER  COON  HUNT. 


Forty-seven  years  ago  to-day,  November  15th,  1842,  I,  with 
my  brother,  Reuben  Whipple,  went  out  to  hunt  for  coons.  Our 
mother  protested  against  us  going,  as  it  was  almost  one  vast  un- 
broken forest  for  miles  in  any  direction.  But  as  we  had  made  up 
our  minds  to  have  a hunt,  away  we  went,  and  when  we  were  once 
out  in  the  woods  all  was  alike  to  us.  We  started  for  what  was 
known  as  the  old  Geo.  Knapp  place.  There  was  a small  patch 
cleared,  and  a cabin.  This  was  situated  on  the  north  bank  of  the 
big  Salamonia,  below  the  old  Robert  Jones’  farm,  about  two  and 
a half  miles  above  Portland.  We  had  not  gone  very  far  before 
things  did  not  look  right  to  us  and  it  grew  very  dark  and  we  were 
compelled  to  start  a fire  to  light  a hickory  bark  torch,  so  I got  out 
my  old  jack-knife  and  I had  a part  of  an  old  Indian  dart  in  my 
pocket  and  some  tinder,  that  father  had  got  of  old  Joe  Flesher, 
that  was  made  out  of  linen  rages.  Father  had  a small  apartment 
in  his  shot  pouch  to  carry  it.  We  “hooked”  some  of  it  and  had 
it  with  us,  there  was  no  matches  then.  We  started  a fire  and  lit 
a torch  of  hickory  bark.  One  carried  an  ax  and  the  other  the 
torch,  but  we  had  not  gone  far  before  we  run  into  a nest  of  wild 
hogs  and  small  pigs  that  got  run  over  in  their  fright  and  squealed, 
and  then  fun  did  commence  in  earnest.  The  dog  ran  back  to  us 
and  the  hogs  after  him,  and  if  it  had  not  been  for  the  torch  that 


140 


JAY  COUNTY. 


frightened  them  away,  Heaven  only  knows  how  the  matter  would 
have  terminated,  but  we  shied  off  and  left  them  and  went  on,  but 
we  had  gone  not  gone  far  before  we  heard  a strange  noise,  and 
back  came  the  dog  with  his  tail  tucked  between  his  legs,  and  we 
could  not  induce  him  to  hunt  any  more  that  night.  So  we  wan- 
dered about,  thinking  that  we  would  come  to  some  spot  that 
would  give  us  some  idea  of  where  home  was,  but  nothing  could  be 
found,  and  it  grew  darker  and  began  to  rain  and  continued  to  rain 
harder  and  my  brother  began  to  cry  and  said  that  we  were  lost 
and  we  would  have  to  lay  in  the  woods  and  would  be  eaten  up  by 
wolves  before  morning.  The  situation  was  not  a pleasant  one 
by  any  means,  and  what  to  do  I did  not  know  as  this  was  the  first 
time  I was  ever  lost  and  knew  that  if  we  did  not  get  in  by  mid- 
night mother  would  be  nearly  crazy,  wondering  what  on  earth 
was  wrong  or  had  happened  to  us;  still  we  walked  on  and  on, 
nothing  turned  up  that  gave  us  any  clue  of  where  we  were.  Tired 
and  hungry,  cold  and  wet,  we  thought  that  we  would  build  a fire 
and  dry  our  clothes,  so  we  came  to  an  old  dry  beech  stump  that 
was  hollow  and  it  was  a small  task  to  start  a fire,  and  when  we  got 
warm  sleep  made  heavy  demands  upon  us  and  we  soon  fell  an 
easy  prey,  so  we  curled  up  by  the  fire  and  the  dog  laid  close  by 
our  feet.  It  had  turned  much  colder  and  the  rain  slacked  up. 
When  daylight  came  the  sun  came  up  from  the  east.  We  knew 
that  our  home  jnust  be  west  from  where  we  were,  so  we  started 
the  contrary  way  from  where  the  sun  came  up,  and  after  a long 
walk,  we  came  to  the  old  Greenville  state  road  that  run  in  former 
days  through  the  lands  of  Andrew  Reid  and  a part  of  Jason  Whip- 
ple’s. We  came  to  it  just  north  of  the  residence  of  Daniel  Miller, 
we  knew  that  the  south  end  would  take  us  to  the  old  wheat  road 
that  passed  or  left  the  state  road  at  College  Corner,  right  where 
old  Judge  Bowden  first  settled  in  Jay  County,  I think,  in  1835. 
The  tomahawk  path  that  led  you  through  the  woods  of  Isaac 
Myers,  Robert  Jones,  Thomas  Wheat,  Joseph  Gillets  and  how 
much  further  I cannot  say.  W e soon  were  in  sight  of  home,  and 
were  glad  once  more  to  see  something  to  eat.  Mother  had  a 
thousand  questions  to  ask,  where  we  stayed  and  why  we  did  not 
come  home.  Time  in  its  onward  march  has  wrought  many 
changes,  the  old  have  many  of  them  gone  to  their  reward.  The 
young  have  grown  to  man  and  womanhood  and  have  been  iden- 
tified among  those  that  early  and  later  have  brought  about  many 
and  lasting  improvements  of  our  county.  Few  are  left  to  bear 
witness  of  those  pioneer  days  and  the  hardships  that  were  ex- 
perienced by  those  that  lived  at  that  date.  Of  what  would  seem 


JAY  COUNTY. 


41 


.strange  to  many  when  they  become  conversant  with  the  ages  of 
its.  I,  Olney  Whipple,  was  13  years  and  4 months,  my  brother, 
Ruben  Whipple  was  9 years  and  1 1 month  old. 

Now,  Mr.  Editor,  let  me  say  one  word  in  conclusion.  No 
greater  plasure  could  be  participated  in  by  me  than  to  speak,  to 
my  many  old,  tried  and  true  friend  of  some  little  incident  of  days 
long  ago.  May  the  blessing  of  a Merciful  Heaven  be  their  por- 
tions is  the  wish  of  the  grateful  heart  of  him  who  penned  these 
lines.  I am  ever  yours, 

OLNEY  WHIPPLE. 


1 42 


JAY  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

“GIDDY  YOUNG  THINGS.” 


How  the  Jay  County  Boys  Celebrated  Valentine  Day  Forty-one 

Years  Ago. 


Editor  Sun: — Fortyrone  years  ago  this  night  I,  with  many 
others,  met  at  the  house  of  Aunt  Polly  Hardy,  in  Pike  Township, 
for  the  purpose  of  having  a wax  pulling.  Arrangements  had  been 
made  some  days  previous  so  that  refreshments  could  be  prepared 
and  the  necessary  amount  of  sugar  scraped  up.  Each  one  of  the 
boys  was  required  to  bring  two  pounds,  and  I think  nearly  60 
pounds  were  brought  in.  I will  never  forget  what  a time  I had 
to  get  my  part.  My  father  never  had  any  money  for  anything, 
so  I was  compelled  to  find  some  one  that  I could  borrow  12^2 
cents  from  to  get  the  sugar.  I,  like  many  other  boys,  was  back- 
ward asking  for  that  amount  of  money  at  that  date.  Father  and 
John  Shanks,  a brother  to  the  late  Aunt  Rebecca  Headington, 
were  standing  on  the  old  log  porch,  nearly  or  quite  opposite  of 
the  Commercial  office,  as  that  was  used  for  a hotel — the  old 
building  that  William  Haynes  put  up — and  when  I came  up  Mr. 
Shanks  asked  me  if  I wanted  anything.  I dared  not  say  before 
my  father  that  I wanted  I2j^  cents  to  buy  sugar,  but  just  then  old 
Dan  McNeal  called  father  away,  and  that  gave  me  a chance  to 
tell  Mr.  Shanks  what  I wanted.  He  gave  me  the  money,  and  I 
promised  to  pay  him  in  a day  or  two,  or  as  soon  as  my  ’possum 


JAY  COUNTY. 


143 


skins  was  dry  enough  to  sell.  No  one  knows  the  heartfelt  grati- 
tude that  I entertained  toward  that  man  for  that  act  of  kindness. 
I went  home  as  happy  as  a lark,  as  the  tug  of  war  was  then  over, 
and  when  the  day,  or  rather  the  night,  came,  I saddled  up  an  old 
blind  horse  that  was  used  on  the  farm,  and  went  for  my  girl — the 
daughter  of  Ammon  Cook.  There  were  but  a few  that  came  on 
horseback.  Nearly  all  walked.  The  ground  was  bare  of  snow, 
but  frozen,  and  the  moon  shown.  The  most  of  us  arrived  at  the 
place  of  pleasure  about  dark.  All  preparations  had  been  made 
for  making  the  wax.  A large  15-gallon  iron  kettle  was  hung 
over  a slow  fire  to  make  the  great  luxury.  The  pies  had  been 
made  for  a day  or  so.  Curtis  Hardy  went  one  mile  and  a half 
below  old  Deerfield,  to  old  Geo.  Reitenours,  and  bought  one  and  a 
half  bushels  of  apples  for  75  cents  and  brought  them  home  on 
horseback,  and  the  pies  were  made  by  Aunt  Polley  Hardy  and 
her  daughter  Orpha  ,who  in  after  years  became  the  wife  of  Reuben 
Jellison.  But  the  oddest  thing  to  all  was  that  by  some  cause,  not 
known  to  me  or  any  one,  a small  amount  of  salt  got  into  the  boil- 
ing syrup  and  that  was  “good-by  John  to  the  wax.”  It  was  soon 
discovered  that  there  was  something  wrong  about  the  thick  syrup, 
as  it  was  repeatedly  tried  and  no  wax.  Finally  it  was  emptied 
into  a tub  of  cold  water,  that  it  might  cool.  Well,  we  rolled  it 
around  in  the  tub  until  we  could  handle  it  and  then  it  was  laid  on 
the  table  and  many  were  the  efforts  to  cut,  brake  or  pull  any  part 
of  this  huge  mass  of  sweetness  loose  from  the  big  lump,  but  all 
was  in  vain.  There  it  laid,  about  the  size  of  an  ox  head.  We  ate 
the  pies  and  had  a good  time,  anyhow. 

I wish  I could  call  to  mind  all  who  were  there  that  night.  A 
few  are  left  to  sigh  in  sadness  when  the  mind  travels  back  over 
forty-one  eventual  years.  Of  all  the  rosy  cheeked  maidens  that 
formed  that  happy  crowd  I am  unable  to  call  to  mind  anyone,  and 
of  the  stalwart  youths  of  that  night  time  will  soon  blot  out  all  who 
remain,  as  the  sands  of  life  with  many  of  them  have  well  nigh 
passed.  O,  those  happy  days!  Could  we  recall  them,  or  say: 
“time,  stop  thy  onward  march!  and  let  me  live  thee  over  again 
that  I may  drink  deeper  of  the  fountain  of  youth !”  A few  more 
years  at  the  longest  and  we  will  have  filled  the  allotted  mission  of 
mortal  man.  I extend  my  dearest  regard  to  all  that  see  this  and 
note,  remember  that  night.  It  was  the  last  night  that  I ever 
met  with  any  of  my  associates  in  this  county,  as  my  father  moved 
off  to  Randolph  County  on  the  17th  of  February,  1848. 

I am  ever  yours, 

Briant,  Ind.,  February  14th,  1889.  OLNEY  WHIPPLE. 


144 


JAY  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  V. 

FORTY-FOUR  YEARS  AGO  TO-DAY  ! 


The  Great  Liber  Spring  was  Discovered  by  Olney  Whipple,  Who 
Now  Tells  About  it,  and  also  Remembers  Several  Other 
Things. 


Many  years  ago,  when  but  a small  boy,  I was  out  in  the 
woods  (it  was  nearly  all  woods  then)  digging  sand  Qn  the  hills  in 
and  about  the  old  town  of  Liber,  when  I accidentally  stepped  into 
or  upon  a very  cold,  damp  place,  almost  hidden  with  leaves  and 
rank  vegetation,  and  as  it  was  so  far  up  the  side  of  the  hill  it  caused 
me  to  stop  and  examine  the  spot.  I had  no  hoe  or  mattock  to 
dig  out  the  damp  leaves  and  so  I used  the  sang  digger,  made 
from  a crooked  beech  limb.  I soon  saw  that  I had  found  a very 
strong  spring  of  the  best  water,  which  had  for  years,  for  aught  I 
know,  been  running  under  the  leaves  until  it  was  absorbed  by  the 
rich  loniy  soil  of  the  banks  of  the  Salamonia.  Another  reason  for 
it  not  having  been  discovered  before  this  date  was  that  there  was; 
no  road  near  by  and  owing  to  the  steepness  of  the  hill  none  but 
footmen  could  go  up  and  down  it.  This  happened  on  the  fore- 
noon of  the  17th  day  of  June,  1843.  At  noon  I mentioned  what 
I had  found  and  father  and  I fook  a hoe  and  shovel  and  dug  it 
out.  Freed  from  obstructions  the  water  poured  forth  in  a large 
stream  and  made  quite  a small  branch  down  the  hillside. 


JAY  COUNTY. 


145 


Along  in  the  after  part  of  the  summer,  after  water  became 
an  object  to  many,  J.  H.  Smith,  upon  his  own  account,  improved 
the  spring  by  walling  it  up  and  enlarging  so  that  many  pails  of 
water  could  be  taken  out  at  one  time  without  roiling  it  up — and  it 
remained  the  same,  gushing  forth  the  pure  crystal  fluid  to  quench 
the  burning  thirst  of  him  who  perchance  came  that  way.  Smith 
carried  the  water  in  what  he  called  a neck-yoke,  worked  out  of 
the  part  of  a buckeye  tree,  scooped  or  hollowed  out  so  as  to  fit  the 
shoulders  and  come  down  a little  on  the  back,  and  then  a round 
notch  cut  out  to  admit  his  neck.  This  brought  the  weight  square 
over  the  shoulders,  the  ends  of  the  yoke  extending  each  way  from 
the  center  until  they  came  in  line  with  the  outside  of  the  arms, 
and  there  was  a rope  then  attached  with  a hook  to  fasten  to  the 
bail  of  the  bucket.  This  took  almost  the  entire  weight  off  the 
arms,  and  a man  could  carry  two  pails  of  water  half  a mile  with 
comparative  ease. 

The  spring  in  a short  time  became  a noted  place  for  basket 
dinners  and  there  was  many  a happy  hour  whiled  away  by  those 
who  came  to  see  and  be  seen  and  have  a social  and  pleasant  chat 
with  their  neighbors  and  those  that  came  many  times  from  the 
older  settled  parts  of  our  adjoining  counties.  I believe  the  first 
lecture  ever  delivered  on  the  hill  was  by  Theophilus  Wilson  to  a 
large  crowd  of  the  citizens  of  Jay,  Randolph  and  Adams  Counties. 
The  stand  was  situated  under  a sugar  tree  on  the  west  side  of  a 
large  sweet  oak  that  had  been  cut  for  coon,  in  the  fall  of  1835,  by 
Jacob  Ringer,  who  was  the  pioneer  of  that  patch  of  cleared  land 
where  Isaac  N.  Taylor  erected  his  “gambol  roofed  house.”  I 
will  mention  for  the  benefit  of  those  who  may  yet  be  living  that 
this  man  Ringer  built  in  the  spring  of  i835Aeyx — dtogvaoininn 
the  old  cabin  that  this  man  Ringer  built  in  the  spring  of  1835  was 
occupied  by  him  until  some  time  in  1837,  when  he  “lit  out,”  and 
no  one  lived  there  afterwards  except  in  the  winter  of  1838,  when 
it  was  occupied  by  an  old  lady  by  the  name  of  Parsons,  the 
divorced  wife  of  Robert  Parsons,  of  Randolph  County.  There 
was  but  her  and  her  son,  Robert,  and  two  daughters,  Catherine 
and  Lucinda.  The  oldest  several  years  afterward  married  Josiah 
Penock,  as  his  second  wife;  Lucinda  married  Agriffith  Jones, 
also  his  second  wife.  The  after  history  of  the  Penocks  and 
Jones  I cannot  say.  But  the  old  cabin  still  stood,  and  in  the  sum- 
mer of  1839,  Elizabeth  Bosworth,  daughter  of  Dr.  Jacob  Bos- 
worth,  taught  school  in  it,  and  I had  the  good  fortune  to  be  one 
of  her  pupils.  She,  in  after  years,  married  Lewis  J.  Bell  and 
made  him  a good  wife  and  kind  mother.  The  Bosworth  family 


46 


JAY  COUNTY. 


are  all  well  known  to  the  present  as  well  as  the  older  citizens  of 
Jay  County  as  a highly  respectable  class  of  citizens,  marked  for 
their  morality  and  temperance  proclivites. 

John  H.  Smith,  whom  we  mention  as  having  improved  the 
spring,  used  to  impose  enormous  tasks  upon  his  son,  Peter,  the 
only  one  that  was  with  him,  and  if  the  task  was  not  done  accord- 
ing to  his  English  idea,  Peter  had  to  take  a thrashing.  He  re- 
peated this  inhuman  brutality  so  often  that  Peter  became  de- 
ranged and  had  an  attack  of  fits  that  came  near  taking  him  across 
to  the  other  shore.  I remember  one  night  that  he  lay  at  the 
house  of  John  Spade.  He  was  so  raving  and  distracted  that 
it  took  three  good  men  to  hold  him  in  bed.  I was  there  and 
went  with  William  Spade  after  Dr.  Bosworth  at  night.  It  was 
raining  and  very  dark  and  we  had  but  a cow  path  to  follow,  but 
still  we  found  the  way.  Dr.  Bosworth  was  very  indignant  to  be 
called  up  at  that  hour  of  the  night  and  more  so  when  he  was  told 
that  John  Smith  wanted  him  to  come  and  see  what  he  could  do 
for  Pete.  Dr.  Bosworth  was  conversant  with  Smith’s  conduct 
toward  Pete.  When  we  got  back  Pete  was  easier,  as  his  physical 
nature  could  not  hold  out  against  a continuous  attack  of  fits. 
Smith  mentioned  that  he  hardly  knew  what  to  do,  as  he  could 
not  trust  Pete  out  in  the  woods  at  work  as  he  might  fall  a tree 
upon  himself.  Dr.  Bosworth  replied,  “there  has  been  too  many 
small  trees  fell  on  Pete  already!”  Fortunately  for  the  old  man, 
Pete  never  had  another  attack  after  that  night,  and  in  the  summer 
of  1846,  George  Smith,  the  younger  son  of  John  H.,  came  out 
from  Troy,  Ohio,  and  then  things  were  different. 

I do  not  know  the  exact  date  that  Isaac  N.  Taylor  built  the 
college  at  Liber,  as  my  father  left  Jay  County  on  the  17th  day  of 
February,  1848,  and  it  was  many  years  before  I came  back  to 
learn  much  of  the  improvement  that  had  gone  forward  while  I 
was  away. 

Of  the  Whipples  I will  speak  a word.  In  1814  Reuben 
Whipple,  my  grandfather,  came  from  the  state  of  Massachusetts 
— walked  to  Delaware  County,  Ohio.  My  father  came  with  him 
when  he  moved,  in  1821,  and  they  settled  on  the  west  branch  of 
Allen  creek.  Reuben  Whipple  built  a saw  mill  in  1822-23  and 
father,  Jason  Whipple,  walked  back  to  Massachusetts  in  1824  and 
married  Eliza  Hellett  in  1825  or  1826.  Father  worked  in  the 
machine  shop  and  mother  worked  in  the  old  Blackstone  factory 
at  the  fall  of  Blackstone  River,  R.  I.  In  the  fall  of  1829  father 
came  west  to  Delaware  County,  O.,  and  lived  there  until  August, 
1838.  We  landed  in  this  county  August  28,  1838,  and  sad  to  say, 


JAY  COUNTY. 


147 


that  there  is  but  one  living  soul  at  Portland  that  was  a man  when 
my  father  came,  and  that  is  a man  who  has  been  more  than  any  one 
else  identified  with  the  early  history  of  our  county  and  its  many 
varied  improvements — Robert  Huey.  He  came  as  one  of  the 
pioneers,  and  he  almost  stands  alone  in  the  great  army  of  those 
that  came  after  him.  There  are  but  few  left  to  speak  of  the  happy 
days  of  childhood  or  to  call  to  mind  the  many  incidents  of  our 
early  history — time  has  gathered  nearly  all  the  sheaves.  Forty- 
four  years  more  and  we  will  live  in  history  and  our  records  will 
be  weighed  by  their  merits. 

Pardon  me,  dear  editor,  for  this  short  note  and  I am  ever 
yours.  OLNEY  WHIPPLE. 


148 


JAY  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  VI. 


A LEAF  OF  EARLY  HISTORY. 


Forty-nine  years  ago  this  day  (August  28,  1838,)  Jason 
Whipple  and  Henry  Moore  with  their  families  set  foot  upon  the 
soil  of  Jay  County,  which  ended  a journey  of  eight  days.  Delaware 
County,  Ohio,  had  been  our  former  home  for  nine  years,  as  my 
father  lived  in  that  county  before  he  came  west  in  1835.  Father 
built  the  acqueduct  across  Painter  creek  at  Chillicothe,  and  in  the 
fall  of  1836  he  and  his  brother,  Noah  Whipple,  and  Aaron  Grant 
came  to  Jay  County  and  entered  land.  Father  engaged  what  is 
known  now  as  the  Wiggs  farm,  north  of  Liber.  Grant  entered 
what  forms  the  northwest  corner  of  Bluffpoint,  and  Noah  Whip- 
ple entered  what  is  known  as  the  James  Wilson  farm.  We 
landed  at  the  house  of  Whipple  Cook  and  was  compelled  to  remain 
there  for  several  weeks,  by  reason  that  Phillip  Brown  had  squatted 
upon  the  land,  sometime  in  1835,  and  ta  all  land  hunters  that 
came  through  that  part  of  the  country,  Brown  always  conveyed 
the  idea  that  the  land  belonged  to  him,  but  father  got  some  one  to 
show  him  such  and  such  tracts  that  were  still  vacant,  and  he 
selected  the  one  that  Brown  lived  upon,  and  when  he  was  request 
to  vacate  the  old  hut  he  absolutely  refused  to  go,  and  a suit  was 
threatened  to  be  instituted  against  him,  which  he  paid  but  little 
attention  to  at  first,  but  finally  moved  out.  In  the  latter  part  of 
October  we  took  possession  of  the  old  hut.  As  the  fall  of  1838 
was  a very  late  and  dry  fall,  late  corn  matured  and  made  a very 
ji  jo  qomu  ;ou  shay  ajaq;  samp  Xuhj/^  \CqunoD  siq;  joj  dojo  jihj 


JAY  COUNTY. 


149 


left  after  the  coons  and  other  “varmints”  took  their  share.  Brown 
had  the  small  patch  about  the  housie  planted  in  corn  and  pump- 
kins, and  father  sent  word  to  Brown  to  come  and  cut  up  the  corn, 
as  he  wanted  to  sow  wheat  and  it  was  already  to  sow ; he  refused 
to  cut  the  corn,  and  finally  we  cut  what  little  there  was  left,  and  on 
the  29th  of  November,  John  Spade  sowed  the  wheat  and  plowed  it 
in  with  a two-horse  plow  and  it  soon  turned  cold  and  did  not 
come  up  that  fall,  but  in  the  spring  it  was  very  favorable,  and  the 
wheat  came  up  and  there  was  a splendid  crop  for  this  country  at 
that  date.  Father  did  not  thrash  but  a part  of  the  crop  in  the  fall 
after  it  was  harvested,  and  the  next  winter  we  hauled  it  to  a pond 
that  was  frozen  over  and  the  entire  crop  was  put  down  at  one 
flooring  on  the  ice  and  was  tramped  out  with  the  old  oxen  and 
cleaned  upon  the  ice.  I then  set  a quail  trap  where  the  chaff  and 
straw  was,  and  caught  all  that  come  there,  and  sold  them  to  old 
Bill  Brandon  for  $1.00  a dozen.  In  the  winter  and  spring  of  ’38  and 
’39,  Edward  Kikendall,  Butler  Kikendall,  (of  your  city)  and 
Jason  Knapp,  made  4,000  rails  for  father  and  boarded  with  us,  and 
in  Heaven’s  name  I cannot  tell  how  we  lived  in  that  old  hut  16x20, 
only  one  room  and  an  outside  chimney  six  feet  in  the  back.  I 
know  mother  would  make  the  children  stand  in  the  corners  of  the 
fire  place  while  she  got  breakfast  in  the  morning.  Along  about 
the  last  of  November  when  meat  was  scarce,  as  it  usually  is  at 
that  time  in  the  year,  father  went  out  hunting  and  was  unfortunate 
and  did  not  see  any  deer.  As  he  came  home  nearly  dark  there 
was  a coon  coming  on  a log  towards  him,  he  made  a slight  noise 
and  the  coon  stopped  and  raised  his  head  and  father  shot  him  in 
the  end  of  the  nose.  He  was  so  awful  fat  father  concluded  to 
skin  him  and  save  the  oil,  30  mother  rendered  out  the  fat.  About 
that  date  old  Joshua  Penock  brought  out  a barred  of  flour  from 
old  New  Port,  and  sold  it  to  Ammon  Cook  and  father,  and  of 
course  each  one  wanted  his  part  of  the  flour,  and  there  was  not  a 
pair  of  steel  yards  or  scales  to  the  ten  miles  square,  so  they  meas- 
ured and  got  the  center  of  the  barrel  and  sawed  it  in  two  with  a 
hand  saw,  each  one  took  his  end,  and  out  of  the  flour  mother  made 
fried  cakes  or  doughnuts  and  they  were  fried  in  that  coon  fat. 
They  were  the  first  fried  cakes  I ever  ate  in  Jay  County  and  was 
cooked  in  coon  fat.  Fur  at  that  date  brought  price,  was  plenty 
and  about  all  the  money  the  early  settlers  got  hold  of  was  by  the 
sale  of  hides  and  pelts.  In  the  latter  part  of  the  winter  of  ’38  and 
’39  father  bought  from  Henry  Welch,  an  old  pioneer  citizen,  one 
hundred  pounds  of  bacon  and  it  had  been  fattened  on  beech  nuts 
and  was  about  two  inches  thick  and  about  sixteen  inches  square, 


JAY  COUNTY. 


150 


when  it  was  fried  the  meat  was  gone,  but  there  was  a lake  of  oil 
and  there  was  nothing  remained  of  the  meat  but  the  hide  or  rind 
and  I could  not  think  of  anything  but  an  old  fashioned  hame 
string  floating  around  in  the  skillet.  Of  course  it  came  very 
handy,  as  it  took  a good  deal  of  sop  to  get  some  of  the  corn  pones 
to  migrate  down  a fellow’s  neck. 

Allow  me  to  mention  a little  incident  that  happened  in  the 
fall  of  1839.  About  the  1st  of  November,  Caleb  Penock,  the  son 
of  Joshua  Penock,  came  over  to  our  house  to  get  a gun  to  shoot 
a fat  hog.  Father  sent  me  along  to  bring  the  gun  home.  Well, 
the  road  came  out  into  the  state  road  just  where  the  hot  house 
is  south  of  Portland,  and  the  hog  was  in  the  cornfield  that  forms 
the  southeast  corner  of  John  R.  Perdieu’s  land.  Cale,  of  course, 
shot  the  hog  as  soon  as  he  seen  it.  Well,  the  hog  was  more 
than  200  yards  from  the  house  and  had  to  be  drawn  through  the 
corn  down  to  the  house,  which  stood  in  the  field  southeast  of  J. 
R.  Perdieu’s  residence;  however,  we  hauled  it  down,  there  was 
a large  kettle  on  a log  fire,  and  boiling.  But  the  hog  had  not 
been  stuck  and  there  was  not  a formed  thing  to  bleed  the  hog 
with,  and  old  Josh  wanted  Cole  to  stick  him  with  the  drawing 
knife,  and  finally  old  Josh  brought  out  the  spoke  gimlet  and  un- 
dertook to  draw  the  crimson  fluid  by  boring  into  the  dead  porker’s 
neck.  As  the  gimlet  did  not  bring  the  answer,  old  Josh  says, 
“bring  me  the  broad-ax,”  and  amputation  of  the  head  came  next, 
but  what  followed  was  worse  than  all.  They  each  one  took  a hold 
on  a leg,  and  went  to  the  kettle  and  gave  the  pig  a circumbendebus 
souse.  The  water  was  boiling  and,  of  course,  not  a hair  could  be 
pulled  out,  as  the  water  was  too  hot.  I did  not  stay  until  the  hair 
was  off,  but  left  them  using  the  drawing  knife  in  getting  off  the 
most  of  the  hair. 

It  seems  more  like  a dream  than  reality,  when  our  minds 
travel  back  over  the  many  and  varied  scenes  of  our  early  child- 
hood. But  nevertheless  they  are  all  realities,  and  those  that 
figured  &t  that  date  are  among  the  blessed,  and  we  are  spared  to 
buffet  the  storms  of  life,  and  hand  down  to  our  children  the  early 
traditions  of  our  boyhood  days.  Most  respectfully. 

OLNEY  WHIPPLE. 


library 

UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 
URBANA 


. 


LIBRARY 

UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 
URBANA 


JAY  COUNTY. 


151 


CHAPTER  VII. 


George  Washington  Marquis  was  a rich  land  owner  in  France 
when  the  people  of  France  were  oppressed.  He  took  sides  with 
the  people  against  the  Empire,  for  which  he  had  to  leave  the 
country.  His  friends  smuggled  him  to  America  and  his  friends 
sent  him  large  sums  of  money  with  which  he  bought  land  and 
slaves  in  the  state  of  Virginia.  Marques  was  a second  cousin  of 
General  Marques  De  Lafayette.  Marques  Was  the  father  of  six 
children,  four  boys  and  two  girls,  viz:  Wm.  Kid,  Gardner,  Wil- 
son, James,  Kissiah  and  Rebecka. 

Kissiah  is  the  mother  of  the  writer’s  father,  J.  G.  Martin,  and 
a near  relative  of  Captain  Kidd,  the  pirate.  Her  older  brother 
was  named  in  honor  of  the  captain. 

John  Gardner  Martin  was  born  October  the  20th,  1820,  in 
Harden  County,  Virginia.  He  was  the  second  son  of  John  and 
Kissiah  (Marques)  Martin.  His  mother  died  when  he  was  seven 
years  old,  leaving'a  baby,  James,  a few  months  old,  and  Smith,  the 
oldest,  was  twelve  years  of  age.  Shortly  after  the  death  of  Mrs. 
Matin  her  brothers,  Kid  and  James,  moved  to  Dark  County,  O., 
near  Union  City,  bringing  the  two  oldest  Martin  boys  with  them, 
Remaining  a short  time  in  Dark  County,  Ohio,  James  Marquis 
moved  to  Jay  County,  Indiana,  bringing  J.  G.  Martin  with  him, 
and  lived  with  him  till  he  was  married,  in  1843.  As  this  connects 
their  lives  up  to  this  last  date,  I will  not  take  up  the  history  of 
James  Marques.  He  entered  a farm  in  Jackson  Township,  Jay 
County,  Ind.  A little  later  in  the  year  he  bought  of  Michael 
Zimmerman  the  farm  now  owned  by  Rev.  Aaron  Worth.  The 
house  that  Marquis  lived  in  was  a split  log  house,  the  chickens 
roosting  on  the  joists  in  one  corner.  On  the  south  side  of  the 


152 


JAY  COUNTY. 


house  as  a shed  used  for  a stable  and  the  north  side  by  the  chimney 
was  a pig  pen. 

In  May,  1836,  the  Methodist  Episcopal  class  was  organized 
at  Marques’  house,  it  being  the  first  religious  organization  in  Jay 
County.  The  members  were  Marquis,  William  Vail,  Jesse  Gray, 
senior,  David  and  William  Baldwin,  and  their  wives.  The  first 
temperance  meeting  was  held  at  the  same  place  in  1837.  In  June, 
.1837,  Marquis  commenced  to  build  a water  grist  mill  on  Bear 
Creek.  Boys  and  girls,  you  know  this  creek;  can  you  imagine 
this  stream  large  or  swift  enough  to  turn  the  wheels  of  a mill. 
The  mill  was  built  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  Samuel  Read,  where 
the  oil  wells  are  now  thickest.  They  did  not  know  that  there  was 
a richer  investment  a thousand  feet  below  the  ground  than  above 
it,  so  old  time  with  his  never  ceasing  discoveries  was  left  to  tell 
the  story.  But  in  January  of  1838  that  little  stream  of  water 
began  to  turn  the  wheels  of  the  second  grist  mill  in  Jay  County. 
Like  all  of  the  pioneer  mills  it  was  a great  blessing  to  a large  sec- 
tion of  country  people  coming  to  the  mill  from  Adams,  Wells  and 
Blackford  Counties,  some  coming  horse-back  carrying  their  grist 
on  their  shoulders.  My  father,  at  this  time,  was  a boy  of  eighteen 
summers,  helping  to  build  the  mill,  and  after  its  completion  was 
the  miller.  Judge  Studabaker  told  me  of  going  there  to  mill  and 
finding  it  full  of  people  who  had  stayed  all  night.  He  said  there 
was  where  he  first  met  my  father,  who  was  but  a few  years  his 
senior. 

But  how  time  has  changed  things.  That  little  stream  that 
once  turned  the  wheels  of  that  mill  to  grind  the  grist  of  the  peo- 
ple; it  has  gone  down  to  a mere  branch.  So  has  the  stream  of 
time  turned  the  boys  of  that  day  to  gray  haired  men  and  brought 
new  faces  to  us  and  stamped  their  existence  on  the  era  of  time  so 
it  has  left  but  few  traces  of  the  old  mill,  and  has  called  that  boy 
who  stood  by  the  hopper  in  the  old  mill  to  try  the  realities  of  an 
unknown  world  to  us.  Marquis  also  built  the  first  saw  mill  in 
Jay  County  in  the  year  1839. 

Marquis,  raised  in  the  south  by  parents  who  owned  slaves 
and  thought  it  right,  he  was  unlike  them  in  that  belief  and  thought 
every  one  created  free  and  equal,  and  with  the  assistance  of  Mar- 
tin, ran  the  railroad  known  as  the  underground  railroad.  How  I 
wish  I could  recall  some  of  the  stories  told  by  father  about  help- 
ing the  negroes  to  their  freedom.  How  easy  it  is  to  trace  that  dis- 
position of  spirit  back  to  where  it  would  cause  people  to  fight  for 
what  they  thought  was  right.  A grandfather  banished  from 
France  because  he  took  sides  with  a people  he  thought  oppressed 


JAY  COUNTY. 


153 


and  slaved.  My  grandfather  Martin  was  once  a slave  owner,  but 
he  helped  runaway  slaves  from  the  country  in  which  they  were 
held  in  bondage,  and  going  contrary  to  the  laws  of  their  own  state 
because  they  thought  slavery  wrong. 

James  Marquis  made  the  first  abolishment  speech  ever  made 
in  Adams  County.  It  was  made  in  the  forties;  Judge  Studabaker 
told  me  about  it.  Marquis  was  a large  man,  six  feet  and  seven 
inches  in  height.  Studabaker  said  the  people  of  Adams  County 
said  no  man  could  make  such  a speech  as  that  in  the  county,  but 
it  was  made  at  Alexander,  now  Geneva.  So  the  day  came,  and 
so  did  Marquis.  Some  of  the  people  in  favor  of  slavery  came  with 
fife  and  drum  with  the  intention  of  making  so  much  noise  that  he 
could  not  speak;  they  had  a little  fight;  someone  had  a gun  and 
went  to  use  it.  Marquis  grabbed  it  and  held  it  up,  and  some  one 
threw  a wash  tub  that  was  sitting  by,  striking  him  on  the  shoulder. 
That  quieted  the  racket  and  he  made  his  speech. 

James  Marquis  was  chaplain  of  Company  E,  Seventh  Indiana 
Cavalry.  I will  tell  a story  that  I have  often  heard  told  about  him. 

It  was  on  the  Sabbath  day  and  he  was  preaching  with  all  the 
eloquence  of  an  old  time  Methodist  minister  and  there  was  a 
skirmish  near  by;  the  noise  of  the  battle  grew  louder  and  louder 
and  Marquis  preached  the  louder,  but  the  battle  grew  closer  and 
closer  and  Marquis  could  stand  it  no  more  and  said,  “boys  we 
had  a d — sight  better  fight  than  pray.”  After  the  war  was  over 
he  moved  to  Missouri  and  there  fought  his  last  battle  of  death. 
The  death  is  unknown  to  us,  but  in  writing  this  history  I speak 
of  one  who  was  a father  in  action  to  my  father. 

John  Gardner  Martin  was  married  to  Margaret  Fitzpatrick 
in  August,  1843.  To  them  was  born  nine  children,  one  boy  and 
eight  girls;  the  boy  being  the  oldest  child,  died  when  he  was  six 
months  old.  The  sixth  daughter  died  when  she  was  five  years 
and  some  months  old.  The  rest  of  the  girls  living,  Margaret 
Fitzpatrick,  was  born  on  the  Nations  birthday,  July  4,  1827,  in 
Muncie,  Delaware  County,  Indiana.  Miss  Fitzpatrick  was  a true 
American  in  every  sense  of  the  word,  making  no  difference  with 
her  how  low  was  the  situation  of  any  one,  she  was  always  ready  to 
give  them  a kind  word  of  encouragement  for  a better  life.  Her 
parents  moved  to  Camden,  now  Pennville,  when  she  was  a little 
girl;  she  was  converted  and  joined  the  Methodist  church  when  she 
was  10  years  old  and  was  ever  found  ready  to  do  her  duty  as  a 
Christian.  She  was  but  sixteen  years  old  when  married.  What 
a tender  age  to  take  the  cares  of  a house, ..  yet  .what  a wife  and 
mother  she  proved  to  be.  She  would  often  say  she  wanted  us  to 


154 


JAY  COUNTY. 


walk  alone,  but  in  real  need  we  ever  found  a helping  hand  held  out 
by  mother.  When  mother  was  married  she  could  not  read  with- 
out spelling  every  word,  but  with  that  determination  to  know 
something  she  mastered  that  difficulty  herself.  As  a Bible  scholar 
she  was  good ; she  was  well  posted  on  the  political  issues  of  the 
day,  studying  everything  on  that  line  she  could  come  in  contact 
with.  Being  a great  reader  and  having  a good  memory,  there 
was  few  subjects  but  what  she  could  talk  on.  In  short,  I was 
proud  of  mother  and  realize  the  old  ade,  a person’s  best  friend 
is  their  mother.  I do  not  know  where  or  how  my  parents  went 
to  house  keeping.  Father  entered  a piece  of  land  in  Jackson 
Township,  Jay  County,  (now  owned  by  John  Karney)  when  they 
were  married.  For  five  or  six  years  they  went  into  the  dry  goods 
business.  Having  none  of  the  older  girls  to  tell  me  of  the  early 
part  of  their  business,  I will  leave  that  blank  and  take  up  the  year 
of  1854.  At  the  time  they  were  keeping  a general  store  in  Alex- 
ander— Sale  Buffalo — and  now  known  as  the  city  of  Geneva, 
noted  for  her  hustling  business  men,  which  I will  make  you  ac- 
quainted with  by  reading  their  advertisements  in  this  book.  On 
the  5th  of  April,  1854,  your  humble  servant,  the  writer  of  this 
sketch  and  author  of  this  book,  came  to  live  at  J.  G.  Martin’s  and 
boss  the  other  three  girls  around  for  the  next  three  years. 
At  that  time  there  was  another  girl  came  to  make  me  dance  to  her 
music.  In  1857  they  were  keeping  store  in  Camden.  They 
moved  from  there  to  West  Liberty  in  ’58  or  ’59.  In  looking  over 
the  Jay  County  Torchlight,  the  first  Republican  paper  printed  in 
Jay  County,  I see  he  was  an  authorized  agent  for  the  paper  in  the 
fall  of  1863.  He  thought  he  would  try  farming,  and  he  moved 
on  a farm  he  then  owned,  and  now  owned  by  Mrs.  Dillavon. 
Father  had  often  wished  to  enlist  in  the  service  of  his  country,  but 
by  the  pursuasion  of  wife,  children,  relatives  and  friends,  waited, 
but  in  1864,  when  the  Union  called  for  volunteers,  he  knowing 
that  his  country  needed  his  service,  he  could  stand  it  no  longer, 
and  enlisted  on  the  12th  day  of  October,  1864.  Telling  wife  he 
was  going  to  her  Brother  Harvey  Fitzpatrick,  at  Winchester,  on 
business,  never  hinting  his  intentions  of  the  business  of  his  coun- 
try. I will  never  forget  the  day  he  started.  There  were  seven 
girls  of  us.  The  way  he  kissed  us  so  tenderly  and  elapsed  mother 
to  him  as  never  before,  taught  us  of  what  was  coming,  as  we 
watched  him  as  he  rode  away  on  his  favorite  black  horse,  we  wav- 
ing our  hands  and  the  winds  tossing  our  flaxen  hair  till  he  was  out 
of  sight,  thinking  his  business  was  at  Winchester,  but  a day  or 
two  later  brought  us  the  news  that  his  business  in  the  defense  of 


JAY  COUNTY. 


155 


our  glorious  flag  of  the  free  and  the  home  of  the  brave.  He  en- 
listed in  Company  F,  140  Indiana  Infantry.  He  said  he  could  not 
stand  it  to  stay  at  home  when  his  country  needed  his  service  and 
he  hated  to  bid  farewell  to  wife  and  babies  and  them  knowing 
where  he  was  going. 

I do  not  know  where  he  did  go,  but  think  it  was  in  Alabama, 
but  that  which  they  all  expected  happened.  He  was  of  a delicate 
constitution  and  could  not  stand  the  hardships  of  war,  was  taken 
sick  and  removed  to  the  hospital.  The  next  we  heard  of  him  was 
when  he  was  brought  home  on  a horse,  a man  on  each  side  of  him 
holding  him,  and  they  carried  him  in  the  house.  I do  not  know 
whether  he  went  back  or  not.  He  was  offered  a discharge  for  dis- 
ability, but  would  not  accept  it,  as  his  company  was  to  receive 
their  discharge  on  the  nth  of  July,  1865.  While  father  was  in 
the  army  mother  moved  to  West  Liberty.  They  moved  to  the 
farm  a year  or  two  and  he  went  to  West  Liberty  in  the  goods 
business  again.  He  was  keeping  store  there  when  the  Grand 
Rapids  & Indiana  railroad  went  through  and  Bryant  was  laid  out. 
He  built  the  second  business  house  in  Bryant,  putting  goods  in 
he  keeping  the  two  stores  for  about  a year.  He  built  a dwelling 
house,  the  one  now  owned  by  the  heirs.  It  is  on  Main  street.  We 
moved  in  the  latter  part  of  December,  1872,  and  in  May,  1874, 
the  news  came  to  us  that  father  was  sick,  and  in  the  two  weeks  he 
lay  sick  everything  that  medical  skill  could  do  was  done,  but  to  no 
avail.  He  told  us  he  hated  to  leave  his  family,  but  it  was  a change 
we  all  had  to  make.  On  the  16th  day  of  May  he  was  called  to 
the  unknown  shore  and  to  him  death’s  mystery  was  a mystery  no 
more.  He  was  buried  in  the  Miller  cemetery.  He  had  accumu- 
lated a great  deal  of  property  which  he  left  to  our  mother,  which 
she  knew  well  how  to  take  care  of.  He  had  always  told  and  con- 
sulted her  about  business.  She  sold  the  store  goods  to  Dr.  M. 
Glentzer  and  brother.  She  bought  and  sold  land,  town  property, 
horses,  cattle,  hogs,  in  fact  everything  there  was  any  money  in. 

On  June  23rd,  1876,  mother  was  married  to  Wm.  Moore, 
who  died  in  January,  1892.  After  that  time  she  kept  house,  her 
daughter,  Mrs.  Bailey,  a widow  with  three  children,  living  with 
her.  On  the  17th  of  January,  1896,  mother  came  to  our  house 
and  stayed  till  the  25th.  During  that  time  she  told  me  that  she 
intended  to  have  father  removed  from  the  Miller  cemetery  as  soon 
as  they  would  lay  out  a new  one  somewhere.  They  had  been  try- 
ing to  get  ground  here  where  the  new  cemetery  is  for  twenty-three 
years,  but  could  not  succeed.  She  looked  up  at  me  and  said, 
“Matt,  if  anything  should  hapen  to  me  never  lay  me  in  the  Miller 


JAY  COUNTY. 


156 


cemetery.”  Little  did  I think  that  in  three  short  weeks  we  should 
be  called  in  some  way  to  fullfil  her  request,  but  on  Sunday  morn- 
ing of  the  9th  of  February,  1896,  brought  us  a dispatch  that 
mother  was  found  dead  in  her  bed.  What  a death,  how  sad,  and 
yet  how  sweet  to  go  to  sleep  in  health  on  earth  and  wake  up  in 
eternity.  While  writing  this  the  song  comes  to  me,  “What  is 
Home  Without  a Mother?”  How  fully  I realize  it  when  I go 
back  to  the  old  home  and  other  dear  ones  meet  and  welcome  me, 
but  the  true  friend  and  magnet  of  the  home  is  gone  it  does  not 
seem  like  home  wothout  Mother.  We  laid  her  in  the  Wells  ceme- 
tery', about  five  miles  from  home,  and  on  the  next  Friday  took  up 
father  and  the  children  from  the  Miller  cemetery  with  the  inten- 
tion of  laying  them  by  the  side  of  mother,  when  Mr.  Alberson 
offered  to  lay  out  three  acres  in  cemetery  lots  if  we  would  lav  them 
there,  and  when  the  sun  had  set  they  laid  them  away.  The  next 
day  they  brought  the  mother  back  and  they  all  sleep  side  by  side 
on  the  hill  between  their  old  home,  West  Liberty  and  Bryant. 

I do  not  want  to  tire  the  readers  but  will  give  a little  sketch 
of  my  own  life  for  my  boys. 

On  the  23rd  of  January,  1873,  I was  married  to  Mr.  Allen  T. 
Lynch,  a Buckeye  boy,  he  being  twenty  years  and  seven  months 
old.  We  went  to  housekeeping  in  Adams  County,  Ohio;  moved 
on  a farm  first  thing.  It  was  a quarter  of  a mile  from  the  road 
and  it  was  a novelty  for  me.  I had  been  used  to  being  in  the 
store  and  with  a big  family.  I amused  myself  by  riding  on  the 
plows,  fishing,  tending  the  chickens  and  turkeys.  The  first  of 
September  we  moved  back  to  West  Liberty,  Jay  County,  Indiana. 
On  the  7th  of  November,  1873,  a stranger  came  to  our  house  to 
live  and  boss  the  ranch.  We  named  him  Bertie  Gardner.  In 
the  spring  of  ’74  we  moved  on  a farm  owned  by  my  father,  and  in 
August  of  the  same  year  moved  to  Ridgeville,  Randolph  County, 
and  lived  there  about  three  months,  and  then  moved  to  Bryant, 
Mr.  Lynch  buying  timber.  On  the  nth  of  April,  '83,  another 
little  boy  baby  made  its  appearance  at  our  house,  but  made  a short 
stay  with  us.  In  ten  days  he  was  taken  from  us,  but  in  that  short 
time  he  had  won  a place  in  our  hearts  that  can  never  be  filled  by 
any  one  else.  In  August,  1883,  Lynch  went  in  the  goods  busi- 
ness, keeping  a line  of  dry  goods,  groceries,  boots  and  shoes,  and 
ready  made  clothing.  In  the  spring  of  1884  I made  a visit  to  my 
sister,  Mrs.  John  Hammett,  in  Davison  County,  South  Dakota. 
The  country  was  new ; it  had  only  been  settled  about  six  years.  I 
was  not  very  favorably  impressed  with  the  country.  Indiana  is 
good  enough  for  me.  In  1886  A.  T.  Lynch  was  the  candidate  for 
sheriff  of  Jay  County,  being  nominated  on  the  13th  ballot,  but 


57 


JAY  COUNTY. 

was  defeated  at  the  election  by  a small  majority.  I suppose  what 
defeated  him  was  my  believing  on  the  other  side  of  the  political 
fence.  I have  heard  it  said  that  a house  divided  could  not  stand, 
but  ours  has  stood  for  twenty-three  and  one-half  years  and  all  the 
change  is  a little  improvement  on  my  side.  Our  oldest  boy  votes 
the  Republican  ticket  and  I live  in  hopes  that  in  sixteen  years 
from  now  the  other  one  will  vote  the  same  way  with  a prohibition 
addition.  In  the  spring  of  1887  we  added  to  our  line  of  goods  a 
millinery  goods  department,  and  on  the  23rd  of  June  sold  out  to 
Jeol  Townsan. 

Then  he  went  in  partnership  with  Votaw  and  moved  to  Win- 
chester, Ind.,  and  started  a spoke  and  hub  factory  and  remained  in 
parternership  with  him  till  the  last  of  June,  1889,  then  selling  his 
half  interest  to  his  partner,  A.  Votaw.  Mr.  Lynch  then  moved 
to  Decatur,  arriving  at  this  place  August  10,  at  6 o’clock  p.  m., 
bought  the  brick  property  on  Madison  street  and  moved  in  it  in 
the  afternoon.  We  took  dinner  at  A.  E.  Huffman’s,  supper  at 
home.  Lynch  had  brought  the  machinery  and  started  a spoke 
factory  in  the  Studabaker  factory  building  on  the  G.  R.  & I.  rail- 
road. In  January  of  ’93  I caught  a severe  cold  and  it  settled  on 
my  lungs.  The  doctors  pronounced  it  consumption  and  said  only 
a change  of  climate  was  the  only  relief,  so  on  January  25th  they 
carried  me  to  the  sleigh  of  Pendleton  Rice,  whose  history  you  will 
hnd  in  this  book.  He  drove  me  to  the  G.  R.  & I.  train  and  Lynch 
sent  me  to  the  land  of  oranges  and  flowers,  known  as  Florida. 
At  that  time  baby  Ralph  was  only  one  year,  nine  months  and  six 
days  old.  They  wanted  me  to  leave  him  with  my  sister.  Mrs. 
Votaw,  but  I would  not  do  it  and  took  him  with  me.  Bertie,  the 
oldest  bov,  went  with  us  to  take  care  of  ns.  We  left  a land  of 
2U2  feet  of  snow  and  three  days  we  were  in  sunshine  and  flowers 
in  central  Florida.  Our  longest  stay  was  at  St.  Petersburg, 
on  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  We  were  at  Leesburg,  Wildwood, 
Polatka,  Tampo,  Pansdeloon  Springs,  St.  Augustine,  Jacksonville 
and  some  other  towns  I do  not  remember  the  names  of.  Bertie 
left  me  at  St.  Petersburg  and  came  home.  I had  partly  recovered 
my  health.  Was  you  ever  sick  away  from  home  and  have  some 
one  to  go  back  and  leave  you?  I was  very  lonesome  after  he  left, 
and  traveled  around  some,  finely  landing  at  Atlanta,  Georgia.  I 
was  there  a week  when  I got  a letter  from  home  telling  me  I could 
come  home  about  the  20th.  This  was  the  13th  of  April.  I 
packed  my  trunk  and  the  next  morning  started  for  home ; stayed 
two  nights  in  Chatanooga,  went  up  on  Lookout  Mountain,  Mis- 
sionary Ridge,  National  cemetery  and  all  the  places  of  interest. 


i5» 


JAY  COUNTY. 


Arrived  at  home  on  the  17th  of  April  and  it  was  snowing  and  they 
had  all  the  carpets  up  and  the  stoves  out  and  were  cleaning  house, 
thinking  I was  safely  housed  in  Chattanooga. 

But  be  it  ever  so  dirty,  there  is  no  place  like  home,  at  least  I 
thought  so  when  I got  back.  In  the  summer  of  ’93  Lynch  bought 
fourteen  acres  of  land  at  the  west  side  of  the  city  and  laid  it  out 
in  town  lots,  calling  it  Lynch’s  addition.  It  was  done  with  the 
understanding  that  the  lots  were  to  be  sold  and  the  proceeds 
to  go  to  building  a chair  factory.  There  were  thirty-four  of  said 
lots  sold,  the  contract  to  pay  for  lots  when  said  factory  was  in 
operation.  Lynch  built  the  factory  and  had  it  in  operation  on  the 
1st  of  January,  1894.  There  were  twenty-three  men  paid  for 
their  lots,  and  there  were  eleven  refused  to  pay,  and  he  brought 
suit  against  them  and  carried  it  to  the  supreme  court.  But  the 
courts  decided  it  a lottery  and  the  contracts  illegal.  The  supreme 
court  said  where  you  place  a name  in  a hat  and  a number  in  an- 
other is  was  a lottery,  and  that  is  the  way  they  decided  location  of 
lots.  The  lots  were  sold  for  $100  to  $250,  the  location  depend- 
ing. We  had  to  sell  spokes,  home  and  everything  saleable  at 
from  a discount  of  a third  and  a half  of  valuation  to  meet 
our  obligations,  and  in  the  fall  of  1894  we  had  a fire  at  the  storage 
room.  We  had  $900  worth  of  A and  B hub  blocks,  the  building 
had  cost  us  $185  and  about  $400  worth  of  machinery  stored  in 
the  building,  with  $500  of  insurance.  Everything  burned, 
also  buggy  and  harness  and  several  other  little  things..  He 
tried  to  pull  through,  but  it  and  the  panic  in  times  was  too 
much  for  him,  so  on  the  23rd  of  February,  1895,  he  deeded  every- 
thing to  preferred  creditors.  On  the  18th  day  of  May,  1895,  I 
got  my  mother  to  go  on  my  note  for  $500  to  go  in  the  spoke  busi- 
ness again  and  with  that  assistance  we  have  been  able  to  make  a 
living  and  paid  some  of  our  debts,  and  at  the  time  of  writing  I 
have  a brick  chair  factory  1 50  feet  long  by  50  feet  wide  with  a brick 
engine  room  and  chair  machinery  and  no  money  to  operate  with, 
a nice  big  mortgage  of  $2,425  which  we  would  like  to  sell.  With 
good  health  and  plenty  of  grit  we  hope  to  soon  be  able  to  pay. 
When  we  are,  like  the  old  honest  blacksmith  in  the  old  reader, 
we  can  look  the  whole  world  in  the  face  and  owe  not  any  man. 
Well,  I don’t  think  Decatur  will  be  big  enough  to  hold  us,  we 
will  have  to  lay  out  another  addition.  Now  I will  tell  you  a 
little  secret.  On  the  21st  of  July  I will  be  that  most  dreaded  of 
beings,  a mother-in-law.  The  future  Mrs.  Bertie  Lynch  is  now 
Miss  Mammie  Houlthouse,  the  daughter  of  T.  Houlthouse,  the 
shoe  man.  Yours  truly, 

MRS.  MARTHA  C.  MARTIN  LYNCH. 


JAY  COUNTY. 


159 


CHAPTER  VIII. 
J.  M.  PAXSON. 


I was  bom  in  Columbian  County,  Ohio,  November  23rd, 
1834.  My  ancestors  on  the  father’s  side  came  from  England, 
settling  in  Pennsylvania.  They  were  members  of  the  society  of 
Friends.  My  father  was  born  in  Bucks  County,  Pennsylvania, 
November  nth,  1790,  and  moved  with  his  father  to  Ohio,  Colum- 
bian County.  He  was  twice  married,  I being  the  youngest  of  the 
last  marriage.  My  parents  move  to  Jay  County,  Indiana  in  1837, 
when  I was  three  years  old.  My  grand  parents  on  my  mother’s 
side  come  from  Ireland  before  the  revolutionary  war.  Grand- 
father died  on  the  passage,  and  was  buried  in  the  ocean.  The 
children  were  put  out  amongst  strangers  on  their  arrival  in 
America,  Mad  Anthony,  or  General  Wayne,  taking  my  grand- 
father. He  and  young  General  Wayne  were  raised  boys  to- 
gether. My  grandfather’s  name  was  George  McNelv.  He  mar- 
ried in  Philadelphia  a Quaker  girl  by  the  name  of  Jane  Register, 
moved  to  Columbian  County,  Ohio,  after  they  had  three  children. 
The  only  thing  I can  remember  when  we  lived  in  Ohio  was  stand- 
ing at  the  fence  with  my  father  watching  the  carriages  as  the 
Friend  Quakers  went  by  to  yearly  meeting  at  Damascus.  Moved 
to  Indiana  in  1837  in  the  fall,  father,  mother  and  three  children 
then  at  home.  We  were  accompanied  on  our  trip  to  Jay  County 
by  Aaron  Register  and  wife,  and  they  had  a carriage,  we  a big 
wagon.  Thomas  Register  and  Enoch  Hunter  (young  men)  came 
along.  All  I can  remember  on  the  road  out  was  some  men  kill- 
ing our  dog.  He  had  treed  a squirrel,  but  never  came  back  to 


160  JAY  COUNTY. 

the  wagon.  The  men,  I think,  were  drunk.  I remember  the 
men  and  the  boys  with  us  having  a racket.  We  were  nine  days 
on  the  road,  making  the  quickest  trip  that  had  been  made.  My 
oldest  brother,  William,  and  brother-in-law,  Abraham  Smith,  had 
moved  out  some  two  or  three  years  before  we  came.  Brother 
William  had  a house  up  and  an  acre  or  two  of  ground  cleared. 
Though  my  father  was  not  one  of  the  early  pioneers,  yet  we  had 
some  of  the  experience  of  pioneer  life.  In  my  mind’s  eye  I can 
see  the  old  log  cabin  with  its  small  windows,  its  puncheon  floor, 
the  stake  ridden  roof,  stick  chimney  and  clapboard  door  with  the 
latch  string  always  out.  I can  see  the  small  patch  of  ground 
around  the  house,  and  remember  how  year  by  year  it  widened, 
and  the  neighbors  seemed  to  get  closer  together  as  the  woods 
disappeared.  My  brother,  older  than  myself,  was  quite  a hunter 
in  a small  way,  though  he  never  killed  a deer  or  turkey.  He  was 
death  on  mink  and  opossum.  The  worst  small  varment  dreaded 
by  the  hunter  was  the  porcupine,  for  the  dog  was  almost  sure  to 
get  his  mouth  full  of  quills,  then  they  had  to  be  pulled  out  with 
the  bullet  molds  or  pinchers.  Never  saw  but  one  wolf  and  that 
after  it  was  killed.  Remember  hearing  them  howl  after  night; 
never  killed  but  one  wild  turkey.  The  deer  used  to  come  in  our 
meadow  to  pasture,  three  or  four  at  a time.  Mother  was  a great 
nurse  in  sickness  and  used  to  go  far  and  near  when  the  diphtheria 
broke  out  first.  She  was  a faithful  hand,  never  fearing  for  her- 
self. She  was  something  of  a tailor,  having  worked  at  the  trade 
in  her  younger  days,  and  long  hours  after  we  were  in  bed  she 
often  plied  her  needle  making  garments  for  the  neighbors.  Can 
see  her  yet  at  the  old  spinning  wheel,  and  how  well  I remember 
the  wall  pickings,  quiltings  and  log  rollings,  the  visits  to  her 
neighbors  in  winter  on  the  big  sled,  in  warmer  weather  on  foot 
with  the  hickory  bark  torch  to  light  us  home.  My  father  was  a 
jovial,  jokey  man,  but  very  firm.  I always  knew  that  when  he 
told  me  anything  that  he  meant  it.  Remember  when  one  of  my 
cousins  was  married  Eli  (Paxson)  he  and  his  wife  were  at  our 
house  for  dinner  my  father  asked  the  young  lady  if  she  could 
make  a shirt.  Yes,  she  said.  Well,  then  you  can  get  along,  for 
Eli  can  make  a shift,  he  has  made  many  a one.  One  night  a 
cousin  was  staying  at  our  house,  something  got  after  the  chickens, 
the  young  man  (Joe  Davis)  jumped  out  of  bed,  jerked  on  his  boots 
and  ran  to  the  hen  house.  As  he  came  up  something  started  to 
run  for  the  woods,  and  having  no  club  or  anything  to  kill  it  with, 
Davis  jumped  onto  it  and  stamped  it  to  death.  When  he  came 
in  to  the  light  and  looked  at  his  boots  they  were  full  of  porcupine 


JAY  COUNTY. 


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quills.  Our  new  ground  was  plowed  with  a single  shovel  with  a 
cutter  in  front  to  keep  it  from  catching  on  the  roots.  Many  were 
the  rides  my  brother  gave  me  and  my  sister  sitting  between  the 
plow  handles.  Must  say  it  was  not  very  smooth  riding,  as  the 
plow  jumped  over  the  roots.  I was  always  a sickly  child.  When 
about  two  years  old  I fell  in  a bucket  of  water  where  mother  was 
washing,  drowned  so  they  had  to  fetch  me  to.  Then  had  the 
whooping  cough,  was  twice  laid  down  for  dead ; then  the  third  day 
ague.  Dr.  Arthur  says  he  gave  me  quinine  enough  to  kill  a 
horse,  but  outlived  it  all.  It  seemed  to  fall  to  my  lot  to  go  for  the 
doctor  when  any  one  else  was  sick.  I first  went  to  school  at 
West  Grove,  then  to  Balbec,  but  finally  a school  house  was  put 
up  close  to  us  which  went  by  the  name  of  Paxson’s  school  house. 
My  father  died  in  1862.  Mother  afterward  married  and  moved 
to  Randolph  County,  Indiana,  where,  after  my  marriage,  we  lived 
for  seven  years  till  mother’s  death,  on  November  23rd,  1869. 

I was  married  to  Deliah  B.  Manley,  daughter  of  Jeremiah 
L.  and  Mary  A.  Manley.  My  wife’s  parents  moved  from  Athens 
County,  Ohio,  to  Jay  County,  Ind.,  in  1851,  making  the  trip  in  a 
big  wagon,  when  their  oldest  child  was  a little  over  one  year  old. 
remained  in  Jay  County  about  four  years,  then  went  back  to 
Athens  County,  Ohio,  where  they  remained  two  years,  then  again 
moved  back  to  Indiana,  Jay  County.  You  people  that  load  your 
household  goods  on  the  train,  then  take  the  express  and  reach 
your  destination  in  so  short  a time,  know  nothing  about  the  hard- 
ships of  a trip  of  two  or  three  weeks  in  the  big  wagon.  Not  many 
of  the  women  of  Jay  County  have  made  their  trips  in  a big  wagon 
of  that  distance  before  they  were  seven  years  old.  Mr.  Manley 
was  a cooper,  so  that  occupation  came  in  good  play  in  the  new 
county;  he  was  also  somewhat  of  a shoe  maker.  On  one  occasion 
he  had  piled  in  a lot  of  wood  and  roots  for  the  morning  fire,  laid 
his  boots  on  the  wood  when  they  were  taken  off  at  night.  His 
wife  getting  up  first  to  build  the  fire,  piled  on  the  wood  and  with 
them  both  of  the  boots,  not  noticing  the  difference  till  they  were 
badly  burned. 

Getting  home  late  one  night  after  a hard  day’s  work  for  a 
neighbor  some  miles  away,  Mr.  Manley  lost  his  way  in  the  woods 
and  was  followed  by  a lot  of  wolves.  Knowing  that  he  was  not 
far  from  home  he  called  to  his  wife  to  make  the  dog  bark.  Guided 
by  this  he  soon  got  home.  Another  experience  his  wife  had  re- 
turning home  one  evening  on  foot  with  her  sister-in-law  and  two 
children  (having  been  to  see  her  father-in-law,  some  four  miles 
away),  Mrs.  Manley  saw  some  wolves  in  the  woods  close  to  the 


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path.  Being  cool-headed,  she  picked  up  one  of  the  children, 
telling  her  sister-in-law  to  pick  up  the  other,  said,  lets  walk  a little 
faster,  never  telling  about  the  wolves  till  they  reached  home. 
Manley  tried  farming,  then  the  goods  business,  finally  studied 
law,  in  the  practice  of  which  he  was  proving  very  successful  at  the 
time  of  his  death,  in  Geneva,  Adams  County,  December  6th,  1880, 
aged  54,  leaving  a family  of  six  children. 

Many  little  incidents  of  early  life  will  never  be  told  in  history, 
but  I wish  to  drop  a few  of  them ; especially  wish  to  remember  tl^e 
faithful  old  pioneer  dog,  not  the  fine-haired,  imported  dog,  but 
the  old  that  has  stood  his  part.  Remember  our  old  dog  would 
go  for  the  cows  as  far  as  he  could  hear  the  bells  and  even  farther. 
He  has  been  seen  a mile  from  home  standing  on  a big  stump  list- 
ening for  the  bell.  Then  the  old  harvest  field  in  which  the 
dinner  and  evening  pieces  were  brought  out  and  how  myself 
and  sister  used  to  dozen  the  sheaves;  they  must  be  six  on  a side 
and  laid  even.  The  sickle  was  only  used  for  down  wheat  when 
I was  a boy,  but  will  carry  a scar  on  my  finger  from  its  use  while 
I live.  Have  raked  wheat  after  the  cradel  and  bound  the  end 
sheaf  many  a day  for  25  cents  per  day.  On  one  occasion  I had 
taken  mother  to  town  in  an  old-fashioned  jumper,  as  they  were 
called ; a pin  sled  with  a hickory  pole  for  a shaft  and  a clapboard 
bed  on  it.  There  was  a fine  haired  young  fellow  from  the  east  in 
town.  As  it  chanced  I knew  his  name,  which  was  Pointer.  As 
I drove  up  and  hitched  he  came  up,  pushed  his  hat  back,  marched 
around  our  sled  and  said,  do  you  call  that  a cutter?  No,  sir;  I re- 
plied; its  a pointer.  A what?  A pointer,  I answered.  He 
looked  at  me  a moment  and  walked  off.  Always  made  it  a prac- 
tcie  to  tell  mother  where  I was  going  when  I went  away.  For 
several  years  before  my  father’s  death  he  was  troubled  with  palpi- 
tation of  the  heart.  We  never  let  him  go  any  where  alone.  We 
used  to  haul  stove  wood  to  Camden,  a distance  of  three  miles. 
Froze  my  feet  once  on  the  road.  We  lived  on  the  line  of  the  under- 
ground railroad,  as  it  was  called.  Many  times  I have  seen  the 
darkies  going  by  our  house  after  night  to  the  next  station,  just 
north  of  us,  on  their  road  to  Canada.  Was  raised  a Republican, 
but  in  1884,  realizing  that  the  party  would  not  stand  out  for  the 
destruction  of  the  liquor  traffic,  I pulled  in  with  the  Prohibition 
party  and  have  worked  with  them  ever  since.  Never  took  a drink 
in  my  life,  do  not  use  tobacco,  and  my  brother  that  is  now  living, 
can  say  the  same.  Though  the  forests  of  timber  has  been  cleared 
away  and  the  log  house  given  place  to  the  fine  mansions  in  our 
county,  we  can  see  a forest  of  sin  growing  around  us  that  it  be- 


JAY  COUNTY.  163 


hooves  us  to  clear  away.  The  open  saloon,  the  gambling  den, 
prostitution,  Sabbath  descreation  making  a far  worse  wilderness 
than  has  been  cleared  away.  Brothers  get  your  prohibition  ax 
and  help  clear  it  away. 


164 


JAY  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  IX. 


Ruth  A.  Headington,  wife  of  Col.  Nim  Headington,  but 
known  and  loved  far  and  near  as  “Aunt  Ruth,”  is  one  of  the  pio- 
neer women  of  Jay  County.  Of  the  women  identified  with  the 
earliest  history  of  Portland,  she  alone  remains;  and  Hon.  Robert 
Huey,  who  will  soon  celebrate  his  86th  birthday,  is  the  only  man 
now  living  who  was  here  when  she  first  came  to  this  place. 

Mrs.  Headington’s  mind  is  stored  with  many  interesting  re- 
miniscences of  the  earlier  settlrs  of  Portland  and  vicinity.  When 
she  first  came  to  Portland  our  populous  little  city  could  boast  of 
but  two  houses.  One  of  these  was  a log  house,  occupying  the 
ground  where  the  Silvernale  store  now  stands.  It  was  used  as  a 
court  house,  and  the  hickory  trees  stood  so  close  that  in  the  fall 
the  nuts  beat  a lively  tattoo  upon  the  clapboard  roof.  The  other 
house  was  a long, double  log  house,  and  stood  where  the  Miller 
& Huston  building  now  stands;  this  was  the  residence  of  Chris- 
topher Hanna. 

In  building  the  first  hewed  log  structure  in  the  town,  it  took 
all  the  men  within  five  miles  two  days  to  raise  it  and  several 
gallons  of  whiskey  to  keep  up  the  steam.  This  building  after- 
ward became  famous  as  “Hickory  Hall.” 

The  first  frame  house  was  built  by  Dr.  Dixon  Milligan,  where 
the  “Trade  Palace”  now  stands.  The  lumber  was  hauled  from 
Richmond  with  oxen,  and  it  often  took  seven  or  eight  days  to 
bring  one  load.  This  eventually  became  the  first  tavern  in  the 
town.  The  first  store  of  any  note  was  started  by  William  Shull, 
and  was  afterward  transferred  to  William  Brandon. 


RUTH  A.  HEADINGTON. 


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It  was  a common  thing  to  see  a “‘log  rolling”  in  what  are 
now  the  streets  of  Portland,  and  it  was  a long  time  before  there 
was  any  kind  of  a bridge  over  the  Salamonia  river.  Sometimes 
there  would  be  weeks  and  weeks  that  they  could  not  ford  the 
river  and  often  had  to  swim  horses  across. 

It  would  be  a pleasant  task  to  go  on  recording  the  many  and 
varied  recollections  and  experiences  of  Mrs.  Headington,  but 
space  will  not  permit.  Her  career  has  been  identical  with  the 
growth  of  Portland,  and  its  ever  increasing  prosperity  must  be  a 
gratifying  feature  for  her  contemplation. 

Aunt  Ruth’s  life  is  a beautiful  example  of  noble  womanhood. 
The  laurel  wreath  of  fame  lured  her  not,  yet  she  has  made  herself 
a name  more  to  be  desired  than  fame  and  far  above  rubies. 

Her  church  duties  and  acts  of  benevolence  furnish  her  an 
ample  field  for  usefulness.  She  has  a kind  word  of  encourage- 
ment for  the  weak  and  a sincere  prayer  for  the  erring. 

Her  home  has  that  attractive  restfulness  and  comfort  which 
even  palaces  do  not  possess,  where  the  magical  touches  or  the 
true  home-maker  are  about,  and  her  bright,  cheery  face  is  sure 
to  beam  a welcome  to  all  who  cross  her  threshold. 

Having  no  children  of  her  own,  she  has  made  for  herself  a 
place  in  the  hearts  of  many  of  earth’s  helpless  ones,  and  to  them 
ner  memory  will  ever  be  a sweet  fragrance  of  tender  thoughts 
and  pleasant  recollections  of  kindly  deeds  and  loving  words. 
One  of  these  whom  she  thus  befriended,  in  deepest  gratitude  and 
loving  tribute,  signs  her  name.  ADALYN. 


JAY  COUNTY. 


1 66 


CHAPTER  X. 

JOHN  M.  HEADINGTON. 


I was  born  in  Knox  County,  Ohio,  December  13th,  1833. 
My  parents  were  Nicholas  and  Ruth  (Phillips)  Headington,  who 
emigrated  from  Maryland  in  the  early  part  of  the  present  cen- 
tury. I was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  Ohio  and  came 
to  Portland  in  September,  1853,  where  I have  lived  ever  since. 
In  1856  I commenced  the  study  of  law  with  Hon.  J.  M.  Haynes, 
and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1858.  In  May,  1858,  I was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Nancey  Bosworth,  a daughter  of  Dr.  Jacob  Bos- 
worth,  who  died  in  1874.  In  August,  1862,  I enlisted  as  a private 
in  Co.  H.,  100  Regiment  Indiana  Vol.  Inft.  On  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  company  I was  elected  captain  of  the  company  at 
Wabash,  Indiana,  where  we  first  went  into  camp.  We  were  at 
once  ordered  to  Indianapolis  and  in  old  Camp  Morton  we  began 
to  school  ourselves  as  soldiers.  We  graduated  early,  partly  on 
account  of  our  proficiency  and  partly  because  of  necessity.  On 
the  lithe  of  November,  1862,  we  started  for  the  field  of  battle 
and  landed  at  Memphis,  Tenn.,  where  we  joined  Grant’s  army  on 
his  campaign  through  Mississippi,  which  was  defeated  by  the 
fall  of  Holley  Springs  in  our  rear,  and  we  were  forced  to  retire  to 
Grand  Jucntion,  Tenn.,  here  we  spent  the  winter  (1862  and  ’63) 
guarding  the  Memphis  & Charleston  railroad  until  June,  1863. 
We  went  to  Vicksburg*  and  participated  in  what  is  known  as  the 
“Vicksburg  campaign.”  In  the  fall  of  1863  we  came  to  Memphis 
and  thence  across  the  country  to  Chattanooga,  where  we  joined 
with  the  army  of  Thomas  and  fought  the  battle  of  Chattanooga 


JOHN  M.  HEADINGTON. 


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JAY  COUNTY. 


I?6 


and  Mission  Ridge,  here  our  regiment  lost  in  killed  and  wounded 
a greater  per  cent,  of  our  force  than  the  loss  of  the  famous  600 
and  greater  than  any  other  regiments  engaged  in  that  great  battle 
except  the  90th  Illinois,  on  our  immediate  left,  and  the  40th 
Indian  regiment  in  Sheridan’s  division.  We  marched  to  the  re- 
lief of  Burnsides  at  Knoxville  after  the  battle  of  Chattanooga, 
though  our  men  were  worn  out  and  barefooted  or  nearly  so.  We 
returned  to  Bellefonte,  Alabama,  where  we  spent  the  winter,  and 
on  the  1st  day  of  May,  18(4,  we  started  on  the  “Atlanta  cam- 
paign,” which  lasted  until  the  3rd  day  of  September,  and  we  were 
under  fire  every  day  from  May  3rd  to  September  3rd,  1864.  We 
made  the  march  to  the  sea  with  Sherman,  and  after  the  fall  of 
Savannah  and  a short  rest,  we  made  the  campaign  through  the 
Carolinas  and  were  at  Raleigh,  N.  C.,-  when  the  war  closed.  Our 
regiment  participated  in  the  battle  sof  Vicksburg,  Jackson,  Chat- 
tanooga, Dalton,  Snake  Creek  Gap,  Resact,  Kingston,  New 
Hope  Church,  Rome,  Dalas,  Chattahoocha  River,  Big  Shanta, 
Kenesaw  Mountain,  Manitta,  Atlanta,  Nickerjack  Creek,  Jones- 
boro, Lovejoy,  Gresworldville,  Savannah,  Bentonville  and  a host 
of  other  smaller  engagements  and  skirmishes,  and  it  never  fired 
a gun  at  the  enemy  when  I was  not'  with  it.  In  June,  1864,  I was. 
promoted  to  the  rank  of  Major  of  the  regiment  and  later  on  I was 
promoted  to  the  rank  of  lieutenant  colonel  of  the  regiment.  On 
the  22nd  of  November,  1864,  while  on  the  march  to  the  sea,  our 
brigade,  then  numbering  1,300  men  present  for  duty,  had  an  en- 
gagement with  the  nemy  at  Gresworldville,  Ga.,.  which  I desire 
to  mention!  particularly  because  of  the  fact  that  on  account  of  our 
being  in  the  rear  of  the  wagon  train  and  away  from  the  great 
body  of  the  army,  the  historian  has  never  done  us  justice.  The 
enemy,  10,000  strong,  attacked  us  about  noon  and  we  were  com- 
pelled to  fight  them  with  our  1,300  men  until  darkness  closed 
the  bloody  scene,  and  we  held  our  ground  and  slaughtered  the 
enemy  the  worst  they  ever  experienced.  The  southern  papers 
admitted  a loss  of  614,  but  the  estimates  of  our  generals  place 
their  loss  much  higher.  In  that  engagement  I was  in  command 
of  six  companies  of  our  regiment,  (the  100th  Ind.)  and  occupied 
the  center  of  our  lines  where  our  loss  was  the  greatest.  Every 
horse  in  our  brigade,  including  the  artillery  horses,  were  killed 
or  wounded  except  mine,  and  six  of  the  number  (four  killed  and 
two  wounded  were  killed  or  wounded  within  30  feet  of  me.  You 
may  imagine  we  slaughtered  the  enemy  when  I tell  you  we  shot 
at  them  92,000  rounds  of  fixed  amunition  besides  what  was 
thrown  by  the  two  pieces  of  artillery.  After  the  close  of  the  war 


JAY  COUNTY. 


1 68 


I returned  to  Portland  and  resumed  the  practice  of  the  law  in 
this  and  adjoining  counties,  where  I have  remained  ever  since. 
I commenced  in  the  “free  for  all”  a poor  boy  and  have  had  many 
ups  and  downs  like  most  people  who  have  to  struggle  for  them- 
selves. In  my  early  practice  of  the  law,  being  poor  in  purse,  I 
was  compelled  to  practice  in  justices’  courts  all  over  the  county, 
and  occasionally  a little  over  the  line.  We  have  had  some  lively 
times  and  many  amusing  incidents  connected  with  the  practice 
before  justices  of  the  peace.  On  one  occasion  I was  called  upon 
to  defend  a well-known  farmer,  who  I will  call  Mr.  “A.”  who 
was  charged  with  the  crime  of  perjury  before  one  of  the  justices  of 
was  charged  ith  the  crime  of  perjury  before  one  of  the  justices  of 
the  county.  Mr.  “A.”  was  a very  noisy  man  when  excited,  had 
a course,  loud  voice,  and  when  he  wanted  to  he  could  make  more 
noise  than  a dozen  wild  beasts.  On  the  way  out,  knowing  so  well 
his  disposition  to  make  a noise,  I said  to  him,  “I  know  your  ability 
to  make  a noise,  and  I will  warn  you  now  if  you  don’t  keep  still 
and  let  me  do  the  talking  I will  withdraw  from  the  case  on  the 
first  outbreak,  and  if  you  don’t  promise  to  keep  still  I won’t  begin 
the  case.  He  promised  to  keep  still  until  the  case  was  decided, 
and  kept  his  promise,  but  when  the  justice,  about  midnight,  in 
a room  full  of  pople  waiting  in  breathless  silence,  made  his  de- 
cision “not  guilty,”  he  gave  way  to  his  pent-up  feelings  in  his 
best  and  most  improved  style,  so  that  in  a few  minutes  he  and  the 
justice  were  alone  in  the  room,  all  the  balance  having  retreated 
as  from  a cyclone.  In  early  days  in  our  practice  in  this  county 
turnpikes  and  gravel  roads  were  not  dreamed  of,  and  we  were 
'Compelled  to  trudge  through  the  mud  on  horseback.  There 
were  no  buggies  in  the  country  to  be  had,  and  for  about  nine 
months  of  the  year  a horse  could  not  have  pulled  them  through 
the  mud  if  we  had  had  them.  On  one  occasion  we  tried  a case 
before  Esquire  “B.”  which  lasted  until  late  in  the  night.  It  was 
his  first  case  and  he  tried  hard  to  be  on  both  sides  of  the  case  all 
through,  and  when  both  sides  were  done  he  deliberateld  for  a time 
and  finally  said,  “when  the  plaintiff  rested  his  case  I could  have 
decided  it  easily,  but  since  the  defendant  has  got  through  it  is  so 
mixed  up  that  the  d — 1 can’t  decide  it.” 

Esquire  C.,  O Township,  issued  an  injunction  enjoining 

a party  from  removing  a lot  of  corn  in  the  shock,  and  on  the  re- 
fusal of  the  defendant  to  obey  the  injunction  he  attached  him 
for  contempt.  His  attention  was  called  to  the  fact  that  a justice 
of  the  peace  could  not  issue  injunctions,  he  demanded  to  be 
shown  the  law  that  prohibited  him  from  doing  so.  One  justice 


JAY  COUNTY. 


169 


of  the  peace,  ’Squire  D.,  who  was  a justice  for  several  years  in 

Township,  always  held1  that  a party  arrested  for  a crime  was 
presumed  to  be  guilty  or  he  would  not  have  been  arrested,  and  it 
was  his  rule  to  require  the  defendant  to  prove  himself  “not 
guilty,”  or  he  was  sure  to  convict  him,  and  on  one  occasion  he 
found  a party  guilty  of  grand  larceny,  and  seeing  the  statute 
providede  for  imprisonment  in  the  state  prison,  proceeded  to 
sentence  him  to  the  states  prison. 

In  1876  I married  Laura  E.  Haines,  with  whom  I am  still 
living. 


JAY  COUNTY. 


170 


CHAPTER  XI. 

Levina  C.  Griffin  was  born  in  Pelham,  Mass.,  in  1809.  Her 
parents  and  grand  parents  were  born  twelve  miles  from  Provi- 
dence, R.  I.f  in  Cumberland.  Her  father  was  a minister  in  the 
Friends’  church.  Her  mother  was  a member  of  his  church. 
Mrs.  Griffin  remembers  of  goinng  to  school  at  the  age  of  4 years ; 
the  distance  to  her  school  was  one-half  mile.  There  were  two  old 
maids  that  lived  near  the  school  would  always  have  her  come  in 
and  dry  her  dress  every  morning  that  was  wet  with  dew.  Mrs. 
Griffin  only  had  one  sister,  at  the  age  of  4 or  5 years.  She  re- 
members of  her  sister  weaving  yarn  that  was  spun  at  the  “Slater’s 
factory,”  the  first  factory  that  was  in  New  England.  There  was 
no  weaving  done  at  the  factory  at  that  time.  Her  sister,  who 
was  weaving  with  another  girl,  would  say  when  Mrs.  Griffin  would 
go  to  see  them,  “Well,  let’s  drive  a nail  through  that  little  girl’s 
ear  and  hang  her  up  to  the  side  of  the  house.”  She  would  go  down 
stairs  in  a hurry.  Her  mother  would  say  to  her,  “thee  had  better 
stay  with'  me.”  Mrs.  Griffin  would  attend  school  six  months  in  a 
year,  three  months  in  the  summer  and  three  in  the  winter,  until 
she  was  nine  years  old,  then  she  only  went  to  school  in  the  winter 
until  she  was  eighteen  years  old.  At  that  age  she  was  through 
in  orthrography,  reading,  writing,  arthmetic,  grammar  and 
geography.  Then  she  attended  school  in  her  22nd  year  in  Provi- 
dence, R.  I.,  at  the  New  England  yearly  meeting  boarding  school. 
She  taught  in  all  two  years  in  Rhode  Island  and  Massachusetts. 
She  had  six  brothers,  one  younger  and  five  older  than  herself. 
Her  sister  was  married  when  she  was  only  six  year  old.  She  and 
lier  younger  brother  were  born  in  Massachusetts,  the  rest  being 
.born  in  Rhode  Island.  The  oldest  and  youngest  died  when  they 
were  born.  Whipple  Cook,  next  oldest,  was  thrown  out  of  a 
wagon  and  killed  near  Portland,  Ind.,  at  the  age  of  84  years. 
Simon  Cook,  next  oldest,  died  in  Dixon  County,  Neb.,  at  the 
age  of  75  years.  Tremer  Cook,  died  in  Baltimore,  Md.,  at  the 


JAY  COUNTY. 


17 


age  of  50  years.  Ammon  Cook  died  in  Howard  County,  Ind.* 
and  her  sister  died  in  Boston,  Mass.  She  was  married  to  Sum- 
ner Griffin  August  27th,  1837.  He  was  the  son  of  Johnath  and 
Mary  Griffin,  who  were  old  residents  of  Pelham,  Mass.  She 
started  with  her  brother,  Whipple  Cook,  and  his  family  of  six 
children  for  Indiana  in  September  1st,  1837.  It  took  them  two 
days  to  come  to  Troy,  N.  Y.,  one  week  they  were  on  the  canal  to 
Buffalo,  N.  Y.  There  they  took  a steam  boat  to  a little  town  by 
the  name  of  Huron,  at  the  west  end  of  Lake  Erie.  There  they 
hired  two  teams  and  they  brought  them  within  about  two  miles, 
of  their  destination.  There  the  teamsters  swore  that  they  would 
not  bring  them  another  step.  They  unloaded  their  goods  and 
left.  Then  Whipple  Cook  started  for  Jay  County,  and  hired 
three  men  with  teams,  Mr.  Spade,  George  Bickle  and  Henry 
Welch,  and  returned  the  fourth  day.  They  reloaded  their  goods 
and  they  started  for  Jay  County  and  arrived  at  Whipple  Cook’s 
farm  of  sixty  acres,  just  one  month  from  the  time  they  left  Massa- 
chusetts. Whipple  Cook  had  come  out  the  year  before  and 
Mrs.  Griffin.  Not  a tree  was  cut  on  their  land,  and  in  the  spring 
Mrs.  Griffin.  Not  a tree  was  cut  on  their  land,  and  the  spring 
was  a mud  hole  full  of  deer  tracks.  Inside  of  a week  they  had  a 
cabin  built  16  feet  square  and  the  floor  was  laid  with  puncheons 
two-thirds  over  the  room.  Whipple  Cook  had  put  in  six  acres 
of  corn,  pumpkins  and  potatoes.  Whipple  gave  Mrs.  Griffin  two- 
nice  pumpkins  and  they  were  used  as  chairs.  The  first  meat  that 
they  had  to  eat  in  their  little  cabin  these  pumpkins  were  used  ta 
sit  on,  and  there  goods  box  as  their  table.  Mrs.  Cook  said  once 
to  Mrs.  Griffin,  “I  have  brought  all  the  school  books  of  my 
children  and  paper  for  them  to  write  with,  and  now  there  is  no 
school,  and  I would  of  never  come  here  if  it  hadn’t  been  for  you.” 
And  Mrs.  Griffin  answered,  ‘‘I  never  urged  you  to  come;  I only 
told  you  I was  coming.  But  if  you  will  send  your  children  up  to 
our  cabin  I will  do  my  best  to  teach  them.”  The  Widow  Hardy, 
living  three-fourths  of  a mile  off,  had  three  children  that  attend 
Henry  Welch  had  two  and  he  lived  one  mile  off.  Wm.  Clark 
had  four  that  lived  about  one  and  one-fourth  of  a mile  off,  three 
sons  and  a daughter,  Wilson,  Curtis,  George  and  Patsy,  all  of 
these  children  being  well  known  all  over  the  county.  Curtis  H. 
is  now  a resident  of  Portland,  Ind.  Mr.  Ware  had  four  one-fourth 
of  a mile  away,  and  her  brother  had  five  children  that  attended. 
She  had  a $1  fee  for  three  months  and  take  pay  in  anything  they 
had,  except  her  brother’s,  which  she  taught  for  nothing.  She 
remembers  of  taking  soap  grease  from  one  and  think  it  too 
tedious  to  the  rest.  In  Massachusetts  there  were  no  women 


172 


JAY  COUNTY. 


worked  out  doors,  not  even  to  make  garden.  She  thought  to 
work  out  doors  and  turned  her  attention  to  making  something  in 
the  house,  and  as  she  came  to  Indiana  with  the  determination  of 
making  an  honest  living  or  die  trying,  she  brought  palmleaf  with 
her  to  braid,  and  the  second  year  they  were  out  here  they  had  two 
cows.  She  making  cheese,  which  they  had  plenty  to  use  and  some 
to  sell.  She  was  thoughtful  enough  to  bring  two  brass  kettles  with 
her.  Mr.  Griffin,  on  their  arrival,  went  to  Portland,  Ind.,  then  a 
town  of  three  or  four  houses,  to  get  some  cooking  utensils.  There 
he  could  get  nothing  but  a tea  kettle.  They  then  borrowed  a 
bake  kettle  of  Widow  Hardy,  which  had  a lid  on  it.  That  was 
all  they  had  the  first  year.  Then  there  was  a neighbor  that  died 
and  had  two  big  iron  kettles  that  Mrs.  Griffin  bought.  That  was 
all  they  had  until  the  next  spring.  The  next  spring  Edward 
Edger,  at  Deerfield,  brought  on  plenty  of  iron  ware,  and  they 
had  a chance  to  get  all  they  needed.  They  had  to  live  on  corn 
bread  mostly  for  two  years,  as  they  could  get  no  flour  on  this 
side  of  New  Port. 

Mr.  Griffin  cleared  up  four  acres  of  land  the  first  winter  and 
put  it  in  corn  in  the  spring.  He  traded  his  watch  for  a gun  and 
went  around  the  field  three  times  a day  to  keep  the  squirrels 
from  destroying  his  corn.  He  killed  more  than  one  dozen  a day. 
They  had  all  they  could  use  and  gave  them  to  Widow  Hardy  for 
her  hogs.  Mr.  Griffin  started  to  go  over  to  Maring  to  the  raising 
of  a barn,  four  miles  off,  at  George  Bickle’s.  He  handn’t  been 
gone  an  hour  until  he  came  home  with  a deer  on  his  back.  He 
dressed  that  and  started  again,  and  within  an  hour  he  came  back 
again  with  another;  dressed  that  and  left  his  gun  at  home  and 
started  again,  saying  the  higher  the  logs  were  laid  the  more  help 
they  would  need.  I can  do  some  good  yet.  Mrs.  Griffin  says 
that  almost  every  one  that  talks  with  her  of  it  says,  “you  must 
have  had  a hard  time,”  but  she  said  it  never  seemed  hard  until 
they  began  to  have  somthing  to  sell,  and  they  then  had  a hard 
time,  as  she  began  to  experience  the  rub.  No  matter  for  what 
they  had  to  sell,  and  it  brought  so  little  that  it  seemed  very  dis- 
couraging. The  third  year  they  were  out  here  Mr.  Griffin  sold 
some  hogs  at  $1.25  a hundred.  He  sold  them  to  Edward  Edger, 
at  Deerfield.  He  had  to  take  one-third  of  his  pay  in  goods.  He 
paid  25  cents  per  yard  for  calico,  20  cents  for  muslin,  and  other 
things  in  proportion. 

Mr.  Griffin  took  a pail  of  butter  to  Portland 
and  could  not  get  but  3 cents  per  pound;  he  said,  “well,  I won’t 
take  it  back.  But  one  thing  certain,  I won’t  bother  you  with  any 
more.”  He  took  a load  of  wheat  to  Piqua  and  got  only  30  cents 


JAY  COUNTY. 


173 


a bushel,  and  said  if  we  lived  like  a white  man  he  couldn't  make  a 
cent.  It  took  five  days  to  go  and  come.  Mrs*.  Griffin  packed 
his  basket,  which  was  all  the  -food  he  had  while  he  was  gone. 
Mrs.  Griffin  could  make  more  money  braiding  hats  and  making 
cheese  than  he  could  with  all  the  grain  he  could  raise.  Could 
not  get  but  very  little  money,  but  they  needed  furniture  very 
badly  and  exchanged  cheese  for  it;  also  a clock.  Mrs.  Griffin 
sent  “home,”  (as  she  called  it)  to  Massachusetts  for  $40  worth 
of  palmleaf,  which  took  her  three  years  to  braid.  She  sold  her 
hats  at  the  store,  but  would  have  one-third  cash,  and  there  she 
got  her  money  back  for  her  palmleaf.  Mrs.  Griffin  is  the  mother 
of  Mrs.  John  Hardy,  who  was  born  August  14th,  1839,  on  the 
land  they  entered.  Mr. Griffin  died  February  3rd,  1876,  and  since 
that  time  she  has  lived  with  her  only  child,  Mrs.  John  Hardy. 
Mrs.  Griffin  says  when  they  came  to  Jay  County  that  the  woods 
looked  like  a beautiful  flower  garden.  There  was  the  blue  bells, 
beautiful  for-get-me-nots,  deep  red  and  vermine  kinds  of  yellow 
fourners  that  she  never  knew  the  name  of.  She  said  when  they 
were  moving  out  here  a man  at  Sidney,  Ohio,  asked  where  they 
were  going,  Mr.  Griffin  answering,  Jay  County,  Indiana.  Well, 
I would  not  live  there  if  they  would  give  me  the  whole  county; 
one  half  of  the  land  is  under  water  and  the  other  half  is  mud  knee 
•deep.  Cattle  and  horses  could  live  with  very  little  feed.  A neigh- 
bor said  that  he  had  fed  his  stock  but  very  little  feed  all  winter;  if 
they  could  not  browse  they  could  bark.  Mrs.  Griffin  would 
•often  get  the  “blues,”  as  we  term  it.  But  Mr.  Griffin  swears  he 
never  wanted  to  go  back  east  on  a visit.  He  was  left  an  orphan 
at  six  years  of  age.  The  man  that  took  him  to  raise  died  when 
he  was  sixteen  years  old.  His  widow  was  left  with  very  little  to 
help  herself  with.  Mr.  Griffin  then  had  to  make  his  own  living. 
He  got  a good  common  school  education,  but  had  no  steady 
home  until  he  was  married  and  then  came  to  Jay  County,  and  was 
happy  and  thankful  to  think  he  had  a home  of  his  own  where  he 
could  sit  under  his  own  vine  and  sugar  tree,  and  no  one  to  molest 
or  make  afraid.  Mr.  Griffin  was  a member  of  the  New  Light  (or 
Christian)  church,  at  Salamonia,  he  helping  to  build  two  meeting 
houses  there  of  his  own  demonination,  and  did  his  full  share  or  a 
little  more  in  supporting  the  church.  Had  a long,  painful  sick- 
ness and  died  in  hopes  of  another  happier  and  better  life.  Mrs. 
Griffin  still  survives,  enjoying  unsual  health  for  one  of  her  age. 
But  yet  in  a few  days,  months  or  years  she  hopes  to  pass  to  a 
better  life  where  the  wicked  cease  from  troubling  and  the  weary 
are'  at  rest. 


174 


JAY  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  XII. 


My  father  was  John  J.  Hawkins.  He  was  born  in  Bourbon 
County,  Kentucky,  September  25th,  1789,  and  was  a soldier  in 
the  war  of  1812,  and  served  three  years.  My  mother  was  also 
born  in  Bourbon  County,  Kentucky,  June  4th,  1789.  Her  name 
was  Nancy  Sellers  Hawkins.  I am  their  youngest  child  and  was 
born  in  Eaton,  Preble  County,  Ohio,  October  10th,  1820.  My 
father  moved  to  Jay  County  in  1829.  We  started  to  move  the  1st 
day  of  March  and  arrived  in  Jay  County  the  8th.  It  took  us  eight 
days  to  travel  fifty  miles  from  Eaton,  Ohio,  to  Jay  County.  We 
got  to  Greenville,  Ohio,  the  4th  of  March,  the  day  that  General 
Jackson  was  inaugurated  president,  1829.  The  men  were  march- 
ing around  a hickory  pole  with  fife  and  drums.  I asked  my 
father  if  it  was  the  4th  of  July,  and  he  said  it  was  in  honor  of  Gen- 
eral Jackson.  I have  since  learned  that  it  takes  the  hickory  poles 
to  reach  the  public  crib. 

Our  nearest  neighbor  was  ten  miles  away.  The  Indians 
were  plenty  for  three  years  after  we  came,  then  the  government 
moved  them  west  of  the  Mississippi.  My  playmates  were  little 
Indian  girls.  We  shot  with  bows  and  arrows,  ran  races  and  rode 
the  ponies.  We  had  no  house  to  live  in  when  we  came  to  Jay 
County.  We  built  a half-faced  camp  by  a big  oak  log  and  lived 
in  it  six  months  before  we  built  our  cabin.  The  first  thing  we 
done  after  we  got  here  was  to  make  a brush  fence  back  of  the  big 
log  to  pen  our  sheep  in  at  night.  Well,  the  very  first  night  the 
wolves  came  and  killed  four  of  the  sheep,  and  don’t  you  think  we 
only  had  fourteen  dogs.  I will  tell  you  there  names.  There  was 
Cay,  he  was  dady’s  deer  dog;  there  was  Cuff  and  Ring  and  Rover,. 


JAY  COUNTY. 


175 


Wallie  and  Spry,  Music  and  Sound,  Rauge,  Sauce,  Don,  Trail 
and  Loud  and  Tiger.  Well,  Don  was  Brother  Joe’s  dog;  he  was 
no  account  and  all  wanted  to  kill  him.  Well,  when  the  wolves 
got  after  the  sheep  they  tried  to  hiss  the  dogs  onto  them,  but  not 
one  of  them  would  go  after  them  but  Don.  The  next  day  dady 
and  the  boys  built  a wolf  pen  and  put  some  of  the  dead  sheep  into 
it.  That  night  they  caught  a great  big  wolf.  They  took  the  dogs 
and  us  children  to  see  the  wolf;  they  cut  its  ham  strings  and  let  it 
out  of  the  pen  and  set  the  dogs  onto  it,  and  they  soon  killed  it. 
The  next  day  father  and  the  boys  went  hunting.  Daddy  killed 
three  deers  and  Brother  Nathen  killed  two  turkeys.  From  that 
time  on  we  had  plenty  of  wild  meat.  Well,  the  next  thing  to  be 
done  was  to  clear  a corn  field  in  the  green  woods.  It  was  bottom 
land  and  covered  all  over  with  spice  brush.  Brother  Sam  grubed 
five  acres  and  the  rest  choped  the  trees  down  and  picked  the 
brush  and  planted  it  in  corn  and  pumpkins,  the  25th  of  May. 
We  had  a good  crop  of  corn  and  such  fine  pumpkins  the  sheep 
had  to  be  watched.  Brother  Ben  was  the  shepard.  We  then 
cleaned  a turnip  patch  and  raised  about  five  hundred  bushels  of 
the  finest  turnips  I ever  saw.  The  1st  of  August,  the  same  year 
that  we  came,  Town  Shalar  came  and  settled  right  across  the  road 
from  the  Liber  grave-yard  and  lived  in  an  Indian  hut.  L.  Wil- 
liamson, a young  man,  came  about  the  same  time  and  made  his 
home  with  us  the  most  of  the  time.  He  and  Shalar  were  both 
born  in  Kentucky.  Our  cabin  was  twenty-two  feet  long  and 
twenty  feet  wide.  It  had  a great  big  fire  place  ten  feet  wide  and 
a puncheon  floor.  That  fall  the  hunters  came  by  the  dozen,  some 
from  Cincinnati,  some  from  Eaton  and  some  from  Kentucky. 
Oh,  Kentucky,  the  hunters  of  Kentucky?  It  is’nt  often  that  you 
see  a hunter  from  Kentucky.  Later  men  came  to  pick  out 
homesteads.  Our  house  was  the  stopping  place  of  everybody 
that  came  to  the  country.  We  were  so  glad  to  see  them  come. 
One  evening  daddy  said  to  the  boys,  “we  must  get  up  early  and 
go  to  the  rich  woods  and  bring  the  hogs  home  to  butcher,  ’ ’ so 
they  got  up  early  and  Ben  said,  “I  drempt  last  night  that  you 
started  for  the  hogs  and  killed  a great  big  bear  right  in  sight  of 
the  house,”  and  sure  enough,  he  killed  the  bear  just  as  Ben  had 
dreamed,  and  sent  Sam  to  the  house  for  the  oxen  and  cart  to  haul 
it  home.  It  was  the  fattest  thing  I ever  saw.  Daddy  says, 
“Now  boys,  we  go  for  the  hogs  to-morrow.”  We  got  up  early 
and  low  and  behold,  Ben  had  dreamed  again.  He  dreamed  they 
started  after  the  hogs  again  and  daddy  told  Sam  to  go  to  the  right 
of  him  and  Nate  to  the  left  so  they  would  be  sure  to  find  the  hogs. 
They  went  about  a mile  and  saw  a gang  of  deer.  Nate  killed 


176 


JAY  COUNTY 


two  and  daddy  one  and  Sam  one.  They  didn’t  get  the  hogs  that 
day.  Well,  they  started  and  they  killed  the  deer  just  as  Ben  had 
dreamed.  Next  morning  they  asked  Ben  what  he  had  dreamed,  and 
he  said,  “if  you  go  you  will  get  the  hogs  to-day,”  and  so  they  did. 
We  always  had  plenty  to  eat,  game  was  so  plenty.  Our  worst 
trouble  was  going  to  mill;  we  had  to  go  to  Richmond,  Ind.,  or 
Greenville,  Ohio.  It  took  a week  to  go  and  come  and  oh,  such 
roads.  The  next  settler  that  came  was  Phillip  Brown,  who  settled 
near  Liber.  People  soon  came  to  settle  around  us. 

One  fall  the  news  came  to  the  men  that  there  was  lots  of  bear 
out  north,  where  Adams  County  now  is,  so  every  man  in  the 
County  went  off  for  to  hunt  the  bears.  Ben  Goldsmith  lived 
where  Lancaster  now  is,  and  Sally  May  and  I went  to  stay  with 
Nancy  while  Ben  went  on  the  bear  hunt.  It  was  three  miles  from 
our  house,  and  as  we  went  we  saw  a great  big  bear;  it  crossed 
the  road  about  a hundred  yards  in  front  of  us.  We  were  very 
badly  scared,  but  we  went  ahead  and  soon  got  there  and  told 
of  seeing  the  bear.  Before  sun  down  Nancy  told  we  two  children 
to  go  to  the  spring  and  bring  night  water.  There  was  four  of  us, 
Lizzie  and  John  Goldsmith,  Sally  May  and  me.  The  spring  was 
close  to  the  creek;  John  says,  now  galls,  let’s  go  across  the 
creek  and  get  some  grapes  and  black  hawes.”  John  says,  “you 
get  hawes  and  I’ll  climb  the  tree  and  get  the  grapes.”  Just  then 
we  heard  a noise  up  the  tree;  we  looked  up,  and  there  sat  a great 
big  bear.  I think  it  was  eating  grapes. 

We  were  badly  scared,  and  we  ran  to  the  house.  There  was 
no  door  shutter  so  we  stood  a table  up  in  the  door  and  put  a bed- 
stead against  it  and  brought  the  ax  in  and  prepared  to  fight  the 
bear,  but  he  did  not  come.  The  day  that  the  men  got  home  Mary 
Ann  Brown,  a little  girl  about  eleven  3Tears  old,  treed  a bear  in  the 
corn  field  and  went  to  a neighbors  that  had  gotten  home  from  the 
bear  hunt,  and  he  came  and  shot  it  for  her.  The  men  that  went 
hunting  did  not  see  a bear.  About  that  time  Tom  Shalar  took 
his  team  and  went  to  Batavia,  Ohio,  to  move  his  brother-in-law  to 
this  count}7.  I stayed  with  his  family  while  he  was  gone.  Earl 
Porter  was  building  a cabin  for  his  son,  George,  about  a mile 
below  Shalar’ s.  He  stayed  with  us  at  night.  A lot  of  hunters 
came  from  Kentucky  and  stayed  in  a cabin  Tom  had  built,  but 
had  not  moved  into  it  yet.  Well,  they  all  went  a hunting.  In  the 
afternoon  two  of  them  came  in  and  they  had  whiskey1  and  they  got 
drunk.  They  came  to  the  house  and  told  us  to  cook  their  dinner 
or  they  would  shoot  us.  Mrs.  Shalar  refused  and  shut  the  door, 
put  a bar  of  iron  across  it.  They  swore  they  would  tear  the  roof 


JAY  COUNTY. 


177 


off  if  we  did  not  let  them  in.  She  told  them  she  would  shoot 
them.  There  was  a log  cut  out  at  the  back  of  the  house,  next  to 
the  prarire,  with  a greased  paper  pasted  over  it  to  let  in  the  light 
in  place  of  a window.  She  tore  the  paper  off  and  told  me  to  creep 
out  at  the  hole  and  run  into  the  prarire  and  run  in  the  high  grass 
until  I got  out  of  sight  and  then  go  out  into  the  path  and  go  and 
tell  Porter  to  come  quick.  Well,  I went  as  fast  as  I could  and 
just  as  I got  to  the  path  I met  Porter  coming.  I was  so  glad 
when  I saw  him  coming  if  I had  been  one  of  the  fainty  kind  Ithink 
I would  have  swooned  for  joy.  We  son  got  to  the  house  and 
Porter  soon  settled  them.  That  night  Porter  lay  right  across 
the  door  with  his  gun  by  his  side.  The  next  day  the  hunters 
pulled  up  stakes  and  left. 

Tom  Shalar  moved  to  the  prarie  close  to  where  Camden  now 
is;  he  was  the  fist  settler  in  Penn  Township. 

A lot  of  us  girls  and  boys  went  to  see  them ; there  were  eight 
of  us.  They  were  Jim  Simons,  John  Hardy,  Ben  and  Jo  Haw- 
kins, Phebe  Simons,  Sally  May,  Avaline  Hawkins  and  myself. 
The  horses  were  all  in  the  woods  but  one,  and  we  had  to  go 
seventeen  miles  to  get  there.  Our  plan  %vas  for  us  girls  to  take 
the  one  horse  and  ride  turn  about.  Well,  Avaline  said  she 
would  ride  first.  Well,  she  started  and  soon  got  out  of  sight  and 
that  was  the  last  we  saw  of  her  until  we  got  to  Shalers.  We 
walked  that  seventeen  miles  against  noon.  Well,  Avaline  said 
she  thought  she  had  better  ride  on  and  have  dinner  ready  against 
we  got  there  and  so  she  had  it  all  ready.  The  next  day  the  boys 
went  hunting  and  killed  a dozen  half  grown  turkeys.  We  all 
went  fishing  and  caught  a big  turtle  and  a fine  lot  of  fish.  We 
went  to  the  Indian  village  at  the  Godfrey  farm. 

When  our  crop  of  corn  was  eaten  up  by  the  coons  and  squir- 
rels we  had  to  buy  our  corn  for  our  bread.  The  boys  would 
pack  the  deer  hides  and  go  to  Greenville  and  sell  them  and  buy 
corn  and  get  it  ground  and  bring  it  home  on  pack  horses  that 
were  trained  to  follow  the  leaders  without  being  driven  or  led. 
People  moved  into  the  neighborhood  with  big  families  of  boys 
and  girls,  young  men  and  women,  and  then  our  glorious  times 
came.  We  had  house  raisings,  log  rollings,  flax  pullings,  Christ- 
mas and  New  Years,  Holly  eve  and  Valentine  drawings,  and 
always  had  a dance  at  night  too.  Our  dances  were  a different 
kind  to  what  they  have  now;  we  danced  reels  and  jigs.  We  were 
all  poor  and  had  no  fine  clothes ; we  all  wore  home-made  clothes ; 
we  had  no  shoes,  and  wore  moscasins  or  went  barefooted.  We 
had  a flax  pulling  at  George  Bickels  and  a dance,  and  we  were 


i78 


JAY  COUNTY. 


all  barefooted;  the  floor  was  very  rough  and  I got  a splinter  in 
my  big  toe.  Sally  May  took  my  place  in  the  reel  while  Nancy 
Bickle  picked  the  splinter  out  and  rubbed  some  coon  grease  onto 
it,  and  then  I went  on  with  the  dance.  When  such  things  hap- 
pened there  were  no  remarks  made  about  it.  I’ll  tell  you  why  it 
was;  just  because  we  were  all  ladies  and  gentlemen,  every  one  of 
us.  My  sister  Avaline  got  married  to  James  Simmons  and 
moved  to  Randolph  County.  They  lived  in  a shanty  built  of 
rails  and  covered  with  clapboars  until  they  got  their  cabin  built. 
That  was  before  Jay  County  was  laid  out.  When  anybody  got 
married  they  had  to  get  their  license  and  a squire  from  Randolph 
County  to  marry  them. 

My  father  took  sick  in  two  years  after  we  came  to  the  coun- 
try. He  lived  a year  and  died,  and  left  us  for  a better  world. 
You  may  imagine  how  we  felt  but  can  never  know  how  it  was. 
Only  two  neighbors,  one  six  miles  off  and  the  other  three,  and 
our  father  lying  dead  in  the  house.  My  brothers,  Sam  and  Ben, 
went]  to  the  woods  and  cut  down  a tree  and  split  a puncheon  out 
of  it  and  laid  father  out  on  it  and  dug  his  grave,  and  mother  made 
his  burying  clothes;  they  were  Irish  linen  pants  and  hunting  shirt. 
Tom  Shalar  went  to  Winchester  and  got  some  lyn  boards  and 
him  and  Billy  Odel  made  the  coffin.  It  was  a great  bereavement. 
Like  all  such  things  we  had  to  bear  it.  We  did  the  best  we  could 
It  has  been  sixty-five  years  since  he  died,  but  it  is  still  fresh  in 
my  mind.  I was  eleven  years  old  when  he  died.  There  was  no 
school  in  the  county  until  I was  a woman.  I can  only  read  and 
write.  I can’t  read  figures;  I have  to  write  every  thing  at  full 
length.  | 

I am  almost  seventy-six  years  old.  I am  the  youngest  of  the 
family  and  all  the  one  living.  I have  been  married  twice;  my  first 
husband  was  Jesse  Maxwell,  the  second  was  B.  W.  Clark.  I was 
a Hawkins;  I had  four  brothers  and  one  sister.  Their  names 
were  Samuel,  Nathan,  Benjamin,  Joseph  and  Avaline. 

CAROLINE  CLARK. 


JAY  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

VINE  COTTAGE,  REDKEY,  May  9th,  1896. 

The  grand  army,  Epworth  League, 

May  unfurl  their  banner  high ; 

The  foot  of  their  soldier  may  be  on  earth, 

And  the  top  may  reach  the  sky. 

Their  grand  aspirations  may  ascend 

To  the  great  Shepherd  that  dwells  on  high; 

The  angels  of  love  and  mercy  will  descend, 

And  crown  their  labors  by  and  by. 

Even  the  very  honored  name  they  bear, 

Is  grand,  the  name  of  Mr.  Wesley’s  home; 

In  that  home  was  talents,  rich  and  rare* 

As  will  be  read  in  history  yet  to  come. 

The  grand  army,  Epworth  League, 

Will  be  enrolling  soldiers  more  and  more, 

Until  they  meet  their  illustrious  Captain, 

Upon  the  sacred  and  Pleavenly  shore. 

They  may  meet  Him  by  the  river, 

There  they  may  cross  the  rushing  stream; 

By  the  Dear  Saviour  he  may  be  resting, 

Beneath  the  palms  of  evergreen. 

Then  songs  of  praise  they  will  loudly  sing, 

To-  Him  who  died  to  save  us  all, 

Until  the  courts  of  Heaven  ring, 

When  the  Epworth  roll  is  called. 

Gomposed  and  written  by  Mary,  wife  of  Rev.  D.  B.  Sutton. 


i8o 


JAY  COUNTY. 


VINE  COTTAGE,  February  20th,  1894. 

The  very  name  of  this  honored  organization  indicates  noble 
principles,  aleviation  or  remedies  of  wrong  or  suffering.  This 
is  the  third  anniversary  of  the  Woman’s  Relief  Corps  in  our 
beautiful  city.  Yet  we  remember  in  1861,  the  great  foundation 
of  this  noble  work  was  laid,  when  our  brave  soldiers  offered  their 
bodies  as  a sacrifice  to  maintain  the  glory  of  our  flag.  The 
beautiful  emblem  of  our  liberty,  which  but  for  their  bravery 
would  have  been  trailed  in  the  dust.  I remember  with  what  anxiety 
the  ladies  worked  that  they  might  send  such  things  as  would  re- 
lieve the  wounded  and  suffering.  They  sent  delicacies  to  relieve 
their  hunger;  they  sent  soft  linen  and  precious  ointment  to  be 
aplied  to  the  wounds  they  might  receive  in  defending  our  loved 
country  from  oppression.  The  patriotic  and  loyal  ladies  followed 
with  such  relief  as  distance  and  circumstances  would  admit.  It 
was  among  daily  anxiety  and  prayers  and  the  sacredness  of  many 
tears  that  the  foundation  of  this  organization,  the  W.  R.  C.,  was 
laid  and  sealed  with  the  loyal  and  brave  blood  of  our  country. 

Their  grand  work  and  prayers  may  ascend 
To  the  great  Captain  that  rules  on  high; 

The  angels  of  mercy  and  love  may  descend 
And  crown  their  labors  by  and  by. 

MRS.  D.  B.  SUTTON. 


(A  tribute  in  honor  of  General  Washington’s  uirthday. 

George  Washington  is  the  grand,  illustrious  name, 

That  gained  for  our  world  such  honored  fame ; 

It  is  to  celebrate  his  birthday,  with  pleasure  and  delight, 

That  we  have  assembled  in  this  room  to-night. 

We  now  are  gathered  in  this  beautiful  hall 

With  those,  like  him,  that  went  to  their  country’s  call, 

To  defend  for  us  the  glorious  flag  he  had  raised, 

That  filled  our  country  with  happiness,  cheer  and  praise. 

On  January  22nd  this  wonderous  infant,  George,  was  given, 

As  an  angel  sent  from  the  shining  courts  of  Heaven, 

To  teach,  love  of  country  and  of  liberty,  should  be  our  fame, 
Signed  by  George  Washington,  our  President’s  honored  name. 


JAY  COUNTY. 


181 


He  had  gr^wn  from  childhood  to  strong  and  interesting  youth, 
Always  observing  the  laws  of  honesty  and  sacred  truth, 

Until  the  people  of  our  country  united  as  an  independent  band, 
And  gave  him  the  highest  office  that  could  be  given  in  our  land. 

He  stepped  into  wedded  bliss;  ne  met  Miss  Martha  when  passing 
along  the  flowery  path  of  life, 

He  was  attracted,  and  asked  her  if  she  was  willing  to  be  his  true 
and  loving  wife. 

I am  willing,  she  said,  to  take  you  as  my  husband  and  my  guide; 
Your  splendid  wisdom  never  would  misuse  my  station  by  your 
side. 

Their  home  was  to  them  as  Eden,  bright  and  pleasant  and  fare, 
Nothing  but  pleasure  and  happiness  could  enter  there; 

They  ever  plucked  from  love’s  embrosial  tree 
In  this  life  we  hope  they  will  through  all  Eternity. 

Composed  and  written  by  Mary,  wife  of  Rev.  D.  B.  Sutton. 


VINE  COTTAGE,  REDKEY,  May  5th,  1896. 

Rev.  D.  B.  Sutton,  local  elder  in  the  M.  E.  church  and  one 
of  the  local  pioneer  ministers  of  Jay  County,  Indiana,  was  born 
March  8th,  1816,  in  Ohio,  Green  County.  He  is  the  youngest 
except  one,  of  a family  of  ten  children.  All  except  him  have  gone 
to  the  great  beyond  or  glory  world.  He  received  such  education 
as  the  school  privileges  of  that  time  and  period  offered.  He  was 
early  converted  at  a camp  meeting  held  in  Green  County,  Ohio, 
sixty-five  years  ago.  Through  all  these  years  that  have  inter- 
vened since  that  hour,  he  has  never  wavered  in  his  faith  nor 
faltered  in  his  duty.  In  the  meantime  his  interest  in  the  M.  E. 
church  began  to  attract  attention,  and  his  brethren  recognizing 
his  ability  and  integrity  and  seeing  in  him  the  requisite  qualities 
of  leadership,  called  him  early  to  engage  in  public  service.  Dur- 
ing his  early  days  his  parents  moved  to  Green  County,  Ohio, 
where  he  resided  till  the  date  of  his  marriage,  which  was  March 
23rd,  1836,  when  he  was  united  in  holy  matrimony  to  Miss  Mary 
Robetfs,  by  Rev.  Brown,  of  the  Ohio  conference. 


1 82 


JAY  COUNTY. 


She  was  born  in  Berkley  County,  Virginia,  August  4th, 
1815.  She  came  with  her  parents  early  in  life  to  Chillecothe, 
Ross  County,  Ohio.  This  was  my  earliest  recollection  of  a 
home,  my  parents  having  settled  there  shortly  after  their  mar- 
riage, where  they  established  a home  like  the  ancient  Patriarch. 
They  erected  an  altar  from  which  each  morning  and  evening 
ascended  the  inscene  of  prayer  and  praise.  They  also  furnished 
a chamber  for  the  prophets,  and  many  of  the  toil  worn 
preachers  rested  there.  If  any  of  those  veterans  are  still  living 
they  may  perhaps  remember  my  sainted  mother  and  father,  and 
recollect  incidents  of  association  with  them.  My  ancestors  were 
nearly  all  Methodists.  I can  recollect  Father  Finley,  Father 
Collins  and  Mr.  Bascom  in  his  oratoral  brilliancy.  Those  I heard 
proclaim  a full  and  free  salvation.  When  I was  16  my  father 
moved  to  Green  County,  Ohio,  where  Mr.  Sutton  and  I were 
united  in  marriage.  The  pleasant  associations  that  we  enjoyed 
while  living  in  Green  County  have  been  the  subject  of  grateful 
recollection,  and  it  is  with  feelings  of  no  ordinary  character  that 
I address  these  few  lines.  It  recalls  vividly  to  my  mind  many 
pleasant  scenes. 

In  1845  we  bid  adue  to  our  home  and  all  its  hallowed  associa- 
tions, the  friends  of  our  youth.  We  came  to  Jay  County,  which 
was  almost  a wilderness.  Mr.  Sutton  had  to  open  the  road  before 
we  could  get  to  our  intended  home.  We  soon  erected  a small 
cabin  with  four  window  lights  in  one  side  and  a stick  chimney, 
and  blankets  for  doors.  Here  as  formerly  our  room  was  soon 
enlivened  by  the  cheerful  presence  of  kind  friends.  By  indus- 
try and  economy  and  proper  improvement  of  time  we  soon  be- 
came more  comfortably  situated.  There  was  a great  many  wild 
animals  infested  this  uncultivated  country,  such  as  wolves  and 
deers,  and  turkeys,  and  wild  hogs,  and  some  of  the  more  danger- 
ous animals,  would  often  approach  the  houses.  Some  ladies  were 
brave  enough  to  shoot  at  them  to  the  great  delight  of  the  settlers, 
and  sometimes  would  meet  one  of  the  reptile  tribe  that  tempted 
Eve.  Sometimes  they  would  offer  battle  and  effect  their  designs, 
to  the  great  suffering  of  the  individuals.  But  notwithstanding, 
we  had  our  disadvantages  we  had  our  pleasures.  There  was  a 
grand  quality  of  socibility  among  the  people.  One  instance  we 
had  a great  number  visiting  at  our  house,  I jestingly  said  to  Mr. 
Sutton,  “please  step  out  and  kill  a wild  turkey  for  dinner.”  He 
went  to  where  they  ranged  and  killed  three  at  one  shot.  They 
were  sitting  on  the  fence.  It  gave  great  amusement  to  the 
visitors.  At  another  time  he  killed  two  deers  at  one  shot.  Many 
others  were  fortunate  in  obtaining  wild  meat  for  their  families. 


JAY  COUNTY. 


183 


Sometimes  there  would  be  wagon  loads  of  friends  go  and 
assist  some  lady  quilt  and  the  gentlemen  would  gather  at  the 
same  place  and  assist  in  rolling  logs  and  clearing.  They  would 
have  grand  enjoyment  in  each  others  society  and  partaking  of  a 
fine  dinner,  such  as  the  new  country  afforded,  rare  delicacies 
When  we  had  week  day  preaching  we  would  lay  our  work  by  and 
attend  without  fail.  It  often  would  last  all  day  and  sometimes 
part  of  the  night.  In  times  of  quarterly  or  two  days’  meetings, 
we  would  take  home  with  us  fifteen  or  twenty  persons.  We 
worshiped  in  log  houses  or  cabins.  The  dear  Savious  met  with 
us  and  we  were  happy.  Our  benches  were  made  of  split  timber, 
and  no  person  thought  strange  of  it.  I could  name  many  things 
that  would  seem  strange  to  the  people  in  this  advanced  age.  In 
our  united  efforts  to  serve  the  Lord  we  sometimes  traveled 
through  muddy  roads  and  deep  water.  It  will  not  be  long  until 
all  of  those  land  marks  will  be  gone  and  will  be  known  only  in  the 
hearts  of  grateful  people.  We  may  forget  the  gratitude  we  owe 
to  those  brave  men  and  families.  They  have  toiled  and  denied 
themselves  the  comforts  of  life  to  give  the  following  generation. 
They  have  conquered  the  forrest  and  subdued  the  wilderness  and 
made  it  to  but  and  blossom  as  the  rose  with  the  richest  flowers, 
and  to  bring  forth  fruit  in  most  bountiful  profusion  for  the  en- 
joyment of  rising  generations.  How  thankful  we  ought  to  be, 
how  sacredly  should  we  cherish  their  memory.  They  occupy  in 
the  temple  of  fame  a place  which  in  the  great  rush  of  modern  life, 
people  are  apt  to  pass  by  unnoticed.  If  their  hard  labors  of  years 
ago  were  borne  in  mind  they  would  be  recognized  as  being  the 
more  worthy  of  earth. 

The  great  foundation  that  was  laid  by  our  pioneer  citizens; 
the  wilderness  was  cleared,  but  on  it  was  made  the  great  and 
marvelous  improvement  of  to-day.  Too  much  credit  cannot  be 
given  to  these  enterprising  citizens  for  the  grand  work  that  has 
been  accomplished,  to  the  great  advantage  of  all  the  people  of  Jay 
County.  The  original  town  of  Redkey  was  laid  out  under  the 
name  of  Mount  Vernon  about  the  year  1848.  The  first  store  and 
first  postoffice  was  established  one-half  mile  south  of  the  present 
location.  From  that  time  forward  to  the  time  of  finding  of  large 
quantities  of  gas,  the  town  has  steadly  increased.  Redkey  has 
enjoyed  a steady  growth;  the  population  is  4,000.  We  have  three 
large  glass  factories,  heading  and  hub  factory,  slate  factory, 
three  saw  mills,  one  grist  mill,  one  fine  elevator,  a very  fine 
$25,000  school  building,  and  a new  M.  E.  church  costing  near 
$15,000,  and  square  after  square  of  imposing  and  city-like  brick 


184 


JAY  COUNTY. 


business  blocks,  miles  and  miles  of  cement  and  brick  sidewalks. 
With  our  large  natural  gas  territory  and  the  prospect  of  oil  in 
the  near  future,  will  make  Redkey  the  metropolis  of  the  great 
Indiana  gas  and  oil  field.  We  are  situated  at  the  crossing  of  the 
Panhandle  and  the  L.  E.  & W.  railroads.  It  gives  great  oppor- 
tunity for  shipping.  We  are  favored  with  one  of  the  best  lumber 
yards  in  the  state,  and  also  a fine  printing  press  and  postoffice  of 
modem  style.  The  muddy  roads  have  given  place  to  miles  of 
fine  pike;  the  log  cabins  are  something  of  the  past,  and  instead 
there  are  large  and  valuable  frame  and  brick  residences,  and 
grandly  improved  farms.  We  cannot  do  justice  between  now 
and  fifty  years  past,  the  contrast  is  too  great. 


VINE  COTTAGE,  REDKEY,  May  9th,  1896. 

Dear  Sister  Lynch: — I have  not  been  well  since  you  was  at 
our  house.  I fear  I have  not  done  justice  to  this  imperfect  his- 
tory. But  I have  done  the  best  I could  under  the  circumstances. 
Some  pieces  of  history  that  I will  send  have  been  printed  years 
ago.  The  one  on  temperance  I composed  and  wrote  years  ago, 
to  be  read  at  a temperance  meeting.  An  editor  was  there  and 
wished  to  print  it.  It  recalls  to  my  mind  the  real  circumstances 
in  connection  with  it,  that  you  may  please  return  the  history.  I 
have  had  a very  imperfect  education.  I only  went  to  school  six 
months  in  all,  and  that  was  to  a country  school.  Mr.  Sutton  and 
I have  been  married  sixty  years  last  March,  23rd,  1836.  He 
was  born  March  8th,  1816,  and  I was  born  August  4th,  1815,  so 
we  are  80  years  old.  He  engages  in  all  the  activities  of  life,  in 
matrimony  and  church  services,  and  I continue  to  write  history 
and  compose  poetry,  as  I have  done  for  years  past,  ever  since  I 
could  write.  Dear  sister,  you  must  excuse  mistakes  that  I have 
made  in  writing  or  spelling,  especially. 

MARY  SUTTON,  Wife  of  Rev.  D.  B.  Sutton. 


Mr.  Sutton  took  me  when  a girl, 
Into  his  home  and  heart, 

To  bear  in  all  his  after  part, 

A fond  and  faithful  part. 


JAY  COUNTY. 


185 


I have  never  tried 

That  pleasure  to  forego, 

And  I have  never  been  joyful 
When  he  had  care  or  woe. 

I would  rather  share  his  sorrows,  i 

Than  any  other’s  smiles  or  glee; 

If  he  is  nothing  to  this  world,  ; 

He  is  all  this  world  to  me. 

He  makes  a palace  of  our  home, 

And  where  we  stay  a throne 
There  is  pleasure  for  me  in  his  voice, 

There  is  affection  in  his  tone. 

Composed  and  written  Mary,  wife  of  Rev.  D.  B.  Sutton. 


VINE  COTTAGE,  February  21st,  1895. 
(Composed  in  her  74th  year.) 

Holy  men  were  impressed  in  early  times  by  the  Divine  Spirit 
to  go  forth  without  script  or  staff,  proclaiming  the  wilderness  and 
the  solitary  places  shall  be  glad  for  them,  and  dessert  shall  re- 
j'oice  and  blossom  as  the  rose. 

There  was  a time  when  this  country  was  shaded 
With  trees  and  beautiful  bloom, 

And  the  cirucuit  riders  took  their  saddlebags 
And  rode  forth  to  give  the  Gospel  a boom. 

In  the  saddlebags  they  carried  the  precious  Gospel  truths, 

Which  they  kindly  taught,  to  the  aged,  as  well  as  to  the  youths. 
The  saddlebag  was  regarded  with  very  sacred  awe, 

As  in  them  was  carried  the  whole  Gospel  law. 

A message  to  be  delivered,  with  true  Gospel  love, 

As  handed  down  from  the  pure  courts  of  Heaven  above, 

With  a pearl  surpassing  grandure  or  eloquence  for, 

Even  50  much  as  the  sun  would,  the  dim  evening  star. 


86 


JAY  COUNTY. 


The  shouts  and  the  songs  would  go  up  from  the  saints,  all  around 
They  felt  that  they  had  gained  more  Gospel  ground, 

On  which  they  might  build  a log  cabin,  a home, 

In  which  they  might  invite  the  preacher  to  take  his  saddlebags 
and  welcome  come. 

And  they  would  receive  him  as  a messenger  sent  from  on  high, 

To  tell  them  of  the  joys  that  awaits  them  in  the  sweet  by  and  by, 
When  the  labors  and  cares  of  this  life  are  all  over, 

And  the  dear  Saviour  take  us  to  dwell  with  him  on  the  golden 
shore. 

Our  circuit  riders  took  their  saddlebags  and  traveled  forth 
Through  the  wilderness  of  beauty  and  true  natural  worth, 

To  proclaim  in  language  most  pure  and  sublime, 

That  there  is  glory  coming  in  the  near  future  time. 

When  the  wilderness  shall  blossom  and  bloom  as  the  rose, 

Then  the  pious  circuit  riders  will  lay  aside  their  saddlebags 
And  put  on  nice  and  comfortable  clothes. 

Our  salary  is  just  sixty  dollars,  that  is  very  true, 

But  that  is  all  sufficient,  as  our  wants  are  very  few. 

The  dear  Savious  has  said  in  His  own  written  word, 

We  shall  never  want  if  we  trust  in.  the  Lord, 

And  our  children  should  never,  never  beg  bread, 

It  was  by  kind  Providence  poor  old  Elizabeth  was  fed. 

The  preacher  s faith  grows  strong  when  he  takes  from  his  saddle- 
bags 

The  words  the  Saviour  has  given  to  teach  him  to  travel  to  a 
mansion  in  Heaven; 

The  he  prays  the  dear  Saviour  to  direct  where  to  go, 

Even  if  he  should  travel  through  the  mud  and  cold  freezing  snow. 

That  he  might  plant  a Bethel  in  the  name  of  the  Lord, 

In  which  His  sacred  name  might  ever  be  adored, 

Then  he  rises  from  prayer  and  looks  far  ahead, 

There  is  a place  I can  administer,  where  saints  need  to  be  fed. 

He  looks  and  he  listens,  as  his  faith  grows  strong, 

He  takes  up  his  saddlebags  and  slowly  marches  on; 

He  looks  until  he  sees  the  flames  of  the  clearing  mountain  high. 
As  though  it  was  (the)  flames  of  electricity  ascending  to  the  sky. 


JAY  COUNTY. 


187 


He  stops,  and  he  listens,  and  hears  the  voice  of  a singer  sounding 
clear, 

“Dear  Saviour,  send  us  glad  tidings  of  great  joy  in  this  wilder- 
ness here,” 

The  tired  preacher  slowly  walks  up  to  him,  and  meekly  nodding 
his  head, 

And  saying,  “Dear  brother,  I truly  have  need  of  some  nourishing 
bread.” 

“Oh,  come  home  with  us,  we  will  gladly  have  you  with  us  eat, 
We  have  corn,  we  have  pumpkin,  we  have  vension,  the  finest  of 
meat.” 

“I  will  accept  the  kind  invitation  and  thankfully  come, 

For  I am  a poor  wearied  traveler,  seeking  a rest  at  some  home.’ 

“I  have  traveled  many  milesi  in  deep,  muddy  roads, 

To  bring  to  you,  dear  friends,  the  pure  word  of  God, 

On  which  you  might  feed  Heavenly  things, 

With  such  brotherly  love  as  the  true  Gospel  brings.” 

The  voice  as  of  telegraph  sounding  out  clear, 

“Oh,  come  to  our  log  cabin,  for  a Gospel  minister  is  here, 

To  tell  us:  we  may  have  a glorious  mansion  upon  high, 

Even  to  exceed  the  brightness  of  the  sun  on  the  ethereal  sky.” 

They  met  in  the  log  cabin  to  praise  the  dear  Lord, 

Their  vioces  ascended  high,  as  they  sang,  may  his  name  ever  be 
adored, 

Our  homes  have  fallen  to  us  in  a Heavenly  place, 

For  surely  Thou  hast  sent  us  a preacher  to  teach  us  free  grace. 

Just  as  the  faithful  old-fashioned  clock  struck  four, 

The!  preacher  said,  “Dear  friends,  it  is  time  our  meeting  was  oe’r, 
But  we  will  stay  with  our  dear  brother  the  balance  of  the  night, 
And  praise  our  dear  Saviour  again  in  the  bright  morning  light.” 

Dear  wife,  just  spread  a soft  blanket  upon  this  puncheon  floor, 
That  will  make  room  for  the  preacher  and  two  or  three  more. 
Dear  sister,  if  you  need  those  pillows  to  lay  on  the  trunel  bed, 

Just  hand  to  me  my  saddlebags,  on  which  I have  so  often  rested 
my  head. 


88 


JAY  COUNTY. 


Now  we  will  take  sweet  rest  the  balance  of  the  night, 

We  will  praise  our  dear  Saviour,  if  He  should  spare  us  to  see  the 
morning  light; 

Then  we  will  trust  Him  to  give  us  bread  and  meat,  the  substan- 
tiate of  life, 

Which  will  sustain  our  mothers  and  children,  and  dear  loving 
wife. 


Composed  and  written  by  Mary,  wife  of  Rev.  D.  B.  Sutton. 


JAY  COUNTY. 


189 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

SKETCH  OF  MARIAH  MENDENHALL’S  LIFE. 


My  father  and  mother,  Jacob  and  Mary  Bowersock,  lived  in 
Adams  County,  Pa.  They  were  strict  members  of  the  Lutheran 
church.  I was  born  May  2nd,  1813.  Mother  died  when  I was 
eight  years  old.  Father  was  a weaver  by  trade  and  he  kept  the 
family  together  by  hiring  an  old  lady  to  assist  until  the  year  1825, 
when  we  moved  to  Columbian  County,  Ohio.  I was  then  12 
years  old.  I do  not  think  I ever  went  to  school  over  six  months. 
At  the  age  of  14  I went  to  live  with  my  uncle,  William  Galbreith. 
I was  married  at  the  age  of  18  to  William  Farrington.  William 
worked  in  a saw  mill  for  several  years.  We  moved  to  Jay 
County,  Ind.,  in  October,  1838.  We  first  stopped  at  William 
Mendenhall’s.  From  there  we  went  to  our  place  in  Jackson 
Township,  joining  on  the  west  the  place  now  owned  by  Albert 
Bronson.  Myself  and  children  set  around  on  logs  while  William 
built  a three  sided  shanty.  We  lived  in  this  six  weeks.  We  hung 
a coverlet  in  front  of  our  three  sided  shanty.  At  night  the  wolves 
often  came  and  stuck  their  noses  under  the  quilt  so  I could  see 
their  eyes.  William  would  have  his  gun  standing  in  reach  and 
would  fire  at  them.  That  would  be  the  last  of  them  for  that 
night.  One  reason  the  wolves  were  so  bad,  we  had  built  our 
house  right  on  their  trail,  which  was  packed  down  like  cow  paths. 
Game  of  all  kind  were  plenty.  William  often  killed  a turkey  or 
two  and  sometimes  two  deers  before  breakfast.  Once  he  killed 
two  deers  at  one  shot.  He  tanned  his  own  deer  skins  and  made 
his  own  buckskin  pants.  For  the  vest  he  would  take  fawn  skins 


JAY  COUNTY. 


190 


when  they  were  spotted  and  tan  them,  with  the  hair  on.  We  often 
would  see  eight  or  ten  deers  in  a drove  and  had  six  deer  hides 
tanning  in  the  house  at  one  time.  After  living  in  the  shanty  six 
weeks,  William  and  his  brother  John,  built  a cabin  in  the  woods. 
William  chopped  down  trees  and  trimmed  them  up,  leaving  the 
brush  lay  until  evening,  when  I and  the  children  would  go  out  and 
pick  up  and  burn  brush  until  nine  and  ten  o’clock  at  night.  We 
got  five  acres  cleared  and  put  in  corn  the  next  spring.  Some  of 
th$  corn  grew  15  feet  high.  We  paid  $1  a bushel  for  corn  meal 
from  the  time  we  came  to  Jay  County  until  we  raised  a crop.  The 
meal  was  brought  here  by  Nathionel  Coffin,  from  Winchester, 
until  Joshua  Bond’s  mill  was  built. 

One  of  the  necessaries  of  those  times  was  the  successful  use 
of  the  gun  in  which  I proved  very  successful.  I went  squirrel 
hunting ; the  first  time  I missed  the  squirrel,  but  the  second  shot 
brought  it  down.  After  this  I shot  at  marks  with  Dr.  Lewis  and 
Thomas  Sumption,  easily  beating  them. 

One  afternoon  I went  to  William  Mendenhall’s,  a distance 
of  one  and  one-half  miles,  and  was  late  in  getting  started  home; 
darkness  overtook  me.  I had  a small  dog  with  me  and  the 
wolves  got  after  us;  the  dog  growled  and  snapped  at  them,  keep- 
ing them  off  until  we  got  home.  In  five  years  after  we  landed 
in  Jay  County  William  died.  He  took  the  milk-sick  in  June  and 
only  lived  ten  days.  He  was  attended  by  old  Dr.  Beel,  and  was 
buried  at  West  Grove.  At  the  grave  I took  sick  and  commenced 
vomiting.  I was  taken  home  in  Daniel  Votaw’s  wagon.  I and 
two  of  the  children  were  sick  four  weeks.  I was  left  a widow  in 
the  woods  with  seven  children,  four  boys  and  three  girls.  My 
oldest  boy  was  12  and  the  youngest  six  months  old. 

.William  had  sowed  about  five  acres  of  oats  besides  the  corn 
we  had  out.  About  the  time  the  oats  began  to  get  ripe  Seth 
Rigby’s  and  Isaac  Irey’s  horses  got  to  breaking  in.  As  we  could 
not  keep  them  out,  Jonah  Irey  loaded  a gun  with  shot  and  broken 
nails  and  told  me  to  shoot  them  and  he  would  stand  by  me. 
They  would  break  in  at  the  same  place  every  time  after  night. 
One  of  them  had  a bell  on  so  when  I heard  them  coming  I took 
the  gun,  and  my  boy,  Jesse,  went  with  me.  I went  to  a tree  that 
stood  in  the  field  close  to  where  the  horses  came  in.  I put  the 
butt  of  the  gun  against  the  tree  so  it  would  not  kick  me,  aimed 
the  gun  at  them  the  best  Icould,  and  pulled  the  trigger.  The 
gun  went  off  and  so  did  the  horses,  Seth  Rigby’s  horse  carrying 
a lot  of  shot  and  broken  nails  in  her  neck  and  shoulders.  They 
were  but  little  bother  after  that  and  did  not  come  back  after  any 
more  oats  or  nails.  Inis  was  my  first  horse  hunt.  The  next 


JAY  COUNTY. 


191 


spring  after  William’s  death)  John  Reed  and  Ensley  Lewis  moved 
11s  on  Ensley’s  farm,  where  J.  R.  Hopkins  now  lives.  After  liv- 
ing a widow  a little  over  a year  William  Mendenhall  and  I were 
married.  I had  seven  children  and  he  had  six,  and  from  this 
union  one  more  was)  born,  making  in  all  fourteen  children  in  the 
family.  We  also  adopted  a weakly  little  girl,  Lib  Slack,  by  name. 
After  doctoring  her  up  she  got  to  be  a stout,  hearty  girl.  So  we 
had  fifteen  in  the  family.  We  took  this  girl  when  our  youngest 
was  three  years  old. 

We  made  our  own  clothing.  After  getting  our  wool  carded 
we  spun  it.  As  one  of  the  girls  was  a weaver  one  would  spin, 
one  weave,  one  do  the  cooking,  one  wash  the  dishes  and  one  rock 
the  cradle.  You  see  we  had  enough  to  carry  on  the  whole  busi- 
ness. We  also  raised  our  own  flax  and  made  our  linen.  In  the 
spring  we  would  make  quite  a lot  of  sugar.  My  husband  mended 
our  shoes.  1 

In  the  year  1849  ^ie  bloody  flux  broke  out.  Holyfurness 
Wood  lived  southwest  of  Rifesberg,  about  twelve  miles  from  us. 
His  neighbors  were  so  afraid  of  the  disease  that  they  would  not 
go  in  the  house  to  help  them,  so  Thomas  Sumption  came  down 
and  told  us  about  it.  Margaret  Lewis  and  William  and  I saddled 
our  horses  and  went  up  there  to  lay  out  one  of  the  girls  who  had 
died.  There  was  five  of  them  down  with  the  flux.  As  soon  as 
they  were  able  to  be  moved  we  took  two  and  Enos  Lewis  took 
two  of  them  and  cared  for  them  until  they  were  well.  The  same 
year  Seth  Rigby’s  family  took  the  flux;  Margaret  Lewis  and  I 
went  and  took  care  of  them  for  three  weeks.  There  was  five 
deaths  in  this  family.  After  this  George  Stansbury  and  his  wdfe 
took  the  milk  sick.  After  his  wife  died  George  was  brought  to 
our  house  on  stretchers  and  we  took  care  of  him  until  he  got 
well.  We  also  took  care  of  his  baby  for  a few  weeks  until  it  took 
the  diphtheria  and  died. 

My  first  call  as  a midwife  was  by  a family  by  the  name  of 
Whitacre,  in  the  year  1840.  Since  then  up  to  this  date  I have 
attended  nine  hundred  and  eighty  cases.  In  all  these  cases  I have 
never  had  a woman  to  die  while  under  my  care.  In  two  instances 
I have  waited  on  three  generations,  grand  parent,  parent  and 
child.  I always  went  wdien  called  upon.  Went  through  rain 
and  cold  many  times  wet  to  the  skin. 

One  night  I started  home  by  myself  at  11  o’clock  at  night, 
from  north  of  my  home.  The  man  peeled  me  a hickory  bark 
torch  some  three  feet  long.  I took  off  my  garter  and  tied  it 
around  the  torch  and  away  I went  with  old  Charley  on  the  gallop. 


192 


JAY  COUNTY. 


When  I got  to  where  Sam  William^  lived  the  horse  kept  shying 
at  something  in  the  woods  so  I could  hardly  make  him  go.  I 
threw  away  my  torch,  garter  and  all,  put  whip  to  the  horse  and 
went  home  on  the  run.  The  house  we  lived  in  when  my  first  hus- 
band lived,  was  of  round  logs,  skutched  down  on  the  inside.  It 
was  18x20  feet  big  and  had  but  one  door  and  one  six-light  win- 
dow. It  had  puncheon  floor  and  the  floor  over  head  was  laid 
with  4-feet  clapboards.  The  roof  was  held  on  by  weight  poles. 
The  fire  place  had  mud  jams  and  a stick  chimney. 

After  my  second  marriage  our  house  still  had  a stick  chim- 
ney. In  this  short  sketch  it  will  be  impossible  to  tell  the  inci- 
dents of  pioneer  life,  but  as  the  years  went  a daughter  died  and 
two  of  the  children  were  taken  in  and  cared  for  by  th  large- 
hearted  grandparents  and  kept  until  they  could  care  for  them- 
selves. Then  a stepdaughter,  her  husband  and  children  were 
given  a home  under  the  roof  of  the  old  homestead  for  a while. 
After  living  near  thirtyeight  years  with  her  last  husband,  William 
Mendenhall,  she  was  again  left  a widow. 

Thus  the  old  pioneers  have  been  dropping  off  one  by  one 
until  the  subject  of  this  sketch  is  almost  the  last  one  left.  She 
passed  her  83rd  milestone  May  2nd,  1896.  The  young  people  of 
today,  as  they  drive  over  the  smooth  gravel  roads  in  their  fine 
carriages,  will  never  realize  the  hardships  and  privations  our 
pioneer  fathers  and  mothers  had  to  undergo  to  give  us  the  com- 
forts we  now  enjoy.  Grandmother  Mendenhall  is  now  living 
with  her  step-daughter,  Mrs.  George  Paxson. 


LIBRARY 

UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 
URBANA 


JAY  COUNTY. 


193 


CHAPTER  XV. 


Since  the  organization  of  this  county  many  events  of  special 
interests  connected  with  its  history,  from  lapse  of  time  and  the 
death  or  removal  of  those  who  were  intimately  connected  with 
them,  are  now  seldom  brought  to  mind.  Among  those  is  the 
robbery  of  the  county  treasury,  which  occured  on  the  4th  day  of 
February,  1862. 

At  that  time  the  county  was  without  a court  house  or  build- 
ing for  the  accommodation  of  the  county  officers.  The  office  of 
the  county  treasurer  was  in  the  building  known  as  “Miller’s 
building,’’  a frame  structure  standing  on  the  corner  of  Main  and 
Meridian  streets,  which  was  burned  down  a few  years  ago.  There 
being  no  bank  in  Portland  or  in  Jay  County  at  that  time,  a safe 
was  kept  in  the  office,  in  which  the  public  funds  were  deposited. 
The  door  to  the  office  was  secured  by  an  ordinary  lock  fastened 
by  a key,  and  the  safe  doors  were  secured  in  the  same  manner, 
it  being  before  the  day  of  combination  locks.  Joseph  P.  Winters 
was  county  treasurer  at  the  time  above  referred  to,  and  on  the 
evening  of  said  day  closed  his  safe  and  office  as  usual,  taking  the 
keys  in  his  pocket  to  his  residence,  a distance  of  some  two 
squares,  and  on  retiring  for  the  night  left  the  keys  in  his  pocket. 
On  the  following  morning  the  keys  were  missing.  Going  to  the 
office  he  found  the  door  locked.  Without  much  difficulty  or 
delay  he  effected  an  entrance,  when  he  found  that  the  safe  had 
been  opened  and  all  the  money  it  contained  missing  (except 
a package  containing  $500,  which  had  evidently  been  overlooked) . 


94 


JAY  COUNTY. 


The  amount  taken  was  something  over  $7,000.  This  discovery 
of  course,  produced  great  excitement.  The  robbery  had  evi- 
dently been  commited  by  some  person  who  knew,  who  was  the 
custodian  of  the  keys  and  where  he  lived.  But  there  was  no  one 
on  whom  suspicion  rested.  It  was  pretty  soon  learned  that  two 
horses  had  been  taken  from  the  stable  of  Robert  Strgnathan, 
who  lived  on  the  fram  south  of  town,  on  which  John  R.  Perdieu 
now  resides  and  that  they  had  been  ridden  in  the  direction  of 
Union  City.  A person  sent  to  that  place  reported  that  the  horses 
were  found  running  at  large  in  the  suburbs  of  that  town  on  the 
morning  after  the  robbery  had  been  committed.  This  raised  the 
presumption  that  the  robbers  had  taken  an  early  train  leaving 
Union  City  on  the  railroad  running  to  Dayton.  No  further  clue, 
however,  was  obtained  as  to  the  perpetrators  of  the  crime  for 
some  time.  The  officers  at  Portland  soon  had  information  that 
a rather  bad  character  by  the  name  of  James  Hull,  who  had  been’ 
staying  about  Whinehester,  had  left  that  plaee  under  rather  sus- 
picious circumstances  on  the  evening  before  the  robbery  was 
committed.  On  this  hint  he  was  taken  into  custody.  He,  how- 
ever, had  no  difficulty  in  showing  by  trustworthy  persons  that 
he  was  in  the  city  of  Richmond  on  the  night  of  the  roberv.  He, 
however  stated  that  he  had  some  knowledge  of  the  affair  and 
could  find  out  who  the  perpetrators  were  if  funds  were  furnished 
him  to  enable  him  to  ferrit  them  out.  Trusting  to  his  represen- 
tations Hull  was  sent  to  Dayton.  After  a stay  of  two  or  three 
weeks  he  reported  that  he  had  ascertained  who  the  parties  were, 
and  the  part  that  each  one  performed  in  connection  with  the 
affair.  O11  the  information  furnished  by  him,  a prosecution  was 
commenced  against  John  Barker,  Samuel  Johns  and  William 
Blackburn,  residents  of  Dayton,  Ohio,  and  William  Beardon,  a 
resident  of  Union  City,  Ind.  A requisition  from  the  governor  of 
Indiana  on  the  governor  of  Ohio  was  procured  for  Barker,  Johns 
and  Blackburn,  and  they  were  arrested  and  brought  to  Portland. 
Breandon  was  also  arrested.  They  were  brought  before  the 
proper  authorities  and  the  amounts  of  their  bonds  fixed  for  their 
appearance  at  the  next  term  of  court  of  the  Jay  Circuit  Court. 
Failing  to  give  the  required  bonds  they  were  confined  in  the 
Randolph  Count}'  jail,  there  being  no  safe  jail  in  Jay  County. 
At  the  April  term  of  the  Jay  Circuit  Court  they  were  all  indicted 
for  burglary  and  grand  larceny.  Barker,  John  and  Breandon 
took  a change  of  venue  from  the  county.  The  cases  were  sent 
to  Delaware  County;  Blackburn  having  broken  out  of  the  Ran- 
dolph County  jail,  was  at  large  when  the  indictments  were  found. 


JAY  COUNTY. 


195 


At  the  April  term,  1862,  of  the  Delaware  Circuit  Court,  the  cases 
came  up  for  trial.  Barker  was  first  tried.  Prior  to  the  time 
fixed  for  the  trial,  Breandon,  who  had  for  many  years  been  a 
resident  of  Portland,  indicated  to  some  of  his  old  friends  that  he 
would  testify  for  the  state  in  case  he  would  not  be  put  on  trial. 
As  the  state  had  no  positive  evidence  against  him,  and  the  under- 
standing was  that  he  got  none  of  the  money,  and  further  the 
evidence  that  Hull  could  furnish  would  be  of  such  a character 
that  it  would  not  be  admissable  on  the  trial,  it  was  thought 
best  to  accept  his  proposition.  His  statement  was  that  Barker 
made  an  arrangement  with  him  (Brandon)  that  he  was  to  go  to 
Portland  a day  or  two  prior  to  the  4th  of  February  under  the  pre- 
tense of  buying  hogs;  that  Barker  and  Blackburn  would  meet 
him  at  the  bridge  over  the  Salamonia  at  Portland,  about  9 o’clock 
in  the  evening;  that  he  was  to  conduct  Barker  into  town  and  point 
out  to  him  the  treasurer’s  office  and  his  residence.  Bearndon 
was  then  to  go  to  the  hotel  and  retire  so  that  no  suspicion  should 
attach  to  him.  He  stated  that  the  plan  was  carried  out  as  ar- 
ranged. On  the  trial  of  Barker,  Brandon  testified  substantially 
to  the  facts  above  stated,  that  he  met  Barker  and  Blackburn  at 
the  bridge,  that  he  pointed  out  to  Barker  the  office  and  residence 
of  the  treasurer,  and  further,  that  Barker  informed  him  that  they 
left  Dayton  on  the  morning  of  that  day,  went  to  Winchester, 
Indiana,  by  railroad,  and  walked  from  that  town  to  Portland. 
The  conductor  of  the  train  that  left  Union  City  for  Dayton  on 
the  morning  after  the  robbery  testified  that  Barker  was  a pas- 
senger on  that  train.  There  were  other  circumstances  proved 
tending  to  corroborate  the  testimony  of  Brandon.  Barker's  de- 
fense was  an  abibi.  He  had  witnesses  from  Dayton  who  testified 
positively  that  he  was  at  Dayton  on  the  evening  of  the  night  when 
the  robbery  was  committed.  He,  however,  was  convicted  and 
sentenced  to  imprisonment  in  the  state  prison  for  two  years. 
Johns  was  then  put  on  trial.  He  was  connected  with  the  affair 
only  as  an  assessary  before  the  fact.  He  counselled  with  and 
aided  Barker  and  Blackburn  in  laying  the  plans  for  the  robbery, 
and  was  to  share  in  the  spoils.  Hull’s  information  relative  to  the 
matter  was  procured  chiefly  from  Johns,  and  he  was  the  principle 
witness  against  him.  He  was  also  convicted  and  sentenced  to 
imprisonment  in  the  state  prison  for  three  years.  The  case 
against  him  was  taken  to  the  supreme  court  and  was  reversed, 
for  the  reason  that  he  being  only  an  asscessory  before  the  fact, 
and  was  not  within  the  state  of  Indiana,  the1,  courts  of  the  state  had 
no  jurisdiction  in  the  case — Sec.  19  Ind.,  Reports  page  421. 


196 


JAY  COUNTY. 


Blackburn  was  afterwards  arrested  and  brought  to  Portland. 
In  the  meantime  a jail  had  been  built  at  Portland,  in  which  he 
was  confined,  but  escaped  therefrom.  In  1863  he  was  re-arrested 
and  was  tried  in  Randolph  County,  was  convicted  and  imprisoned 
in  the  state  prison  fori  five  years. 

The  county  recovered  none  of  the  money,  but  the  citizens, 
and  especially  the  public  officers  who  were  instrumental  in  the 
detection  and  prosecution  of  the  perpetrators  of  the  crime,  had 
the  satisfaction  of  knowing  that  they  were  duly  punished  for  the 
offense.  J.  M.  HAYNES. 

Portland,  May  28,  1896. 


JAY  COUNTY. 


197 


CHAPTER  XVI. 


In  addition  to  the  above  data  it  has  been  elicited  and  it  is  the 
purpose  of  this  sketch  to  give  to  the  public  some  of  the  unwritten 
history  of  the  Jay  County  robbery. 

Soon  after  the  burglary  had  been  so  successfully  effected, 
George  H.  Moore  was  at  Winchester  on  business  when  he  was 
informed  that  Mrs.  James  Hull  would  be  pleased  to  see  him;  he  of 
course  called  as  requested  and  was  surprised  to  be  told  by  Mrs. 
Hull  that  her  husband  had  left  home  the  day  after  the  robbery, 
was  now  at  Marion,  Ind.,  and  probably  knew  something  about 
the  case;  she  furnished  him  with  a good  description  of  her  hus- 
band and  Mr.  Moore,  after  thanking  her,  hurried  back  to  Portland 
to  impart  the  news  to  those  citizens  to  whom  he  deemed  it  wise 
to  confide.  Among  the  number  whom  he  told  was  William  G. 
Sutton,  at  that  time  auditor  of  the  county,  who  was  known  as  a 
shrewd  and  sagacious  business  man,  and  whom  he  thought  would 
be  valuable  in  assisting  to  place  a true  estimate  on  the  woman’s 
words. 

About  a dozen  gathered  to  discuss  the  matter  in  all  its  lights, 
and  unanimously  agreed  that  Mr.  Sutton  should  start  immed- 
iately for  Marion  in  a buggy,  accompanied  by  James  T.  Stan- 
ton. They  began  their  wearisome  trip  on  one  of  the  most  bitterly 
cold  nights  and  with  instructions  to  arrest  Hull,  if  found,  without 
process.  We  who  now  can  settle  ourselves  in  a well  heated,  well 
lighted  and  elegantly  furnished  palace  car,  can  illy  imagine  the 
the  slow  porgress  amid  dark,  dismal  and  foreboding  surround- 
ings, that  was  made  by  those  two  determined  citizens  as  they 


198 


JAY  COUNTY. 


pluckly  urged  their  horses  over  the  rough,  frozen  road.  By  9 
o’clock  the  next  morning  they  had  reached  their  destination,  and 
after  making  guarded  inquiries,  located  a man  who  fitted  exactly 
the  description  furnished  them.  They  arrested  him  and  started 
to  return  home,  when  their  prisoner  confessed  that  he  was  Hull ; 
that  he  had  been  invited  by  those  committing  the  robbery  to  join 
them  in  their  nefarious  operations,  and  gave  his  captors  to  under- 
stand who  had  given  him  what  knowledge  of  the  matter  he  pos- 
sessed, and  that  he  was  willing  to  assist  in  running  his  would-be 
confederates  to  earth.  After  accepting  his  proffered  aid  and 
making  arrangements  for  him  to  meet  Mr.  Sutton  at  Dayton, 
Ohio,  where  Hull  stated  all  the  parties  lived,  except  William 
Brandon,  who  resided  at  Union  City,  Ind.,  they  permitted  him  to 
go.  A full  report  was  made  of  the  above,  and  the  meeting  re- 
solved that  W.  G.  Sutton  should  go  to  Cincinnati, Ohio,  call  on 
the  chief  of  police,  secure  a first-class  detective,  disguise  and  pro- 
ceed to  Dayton,  there  to  meet  Hull,  who  had  already  gone  to 
Dayton,  and  by  urging  another  robbery  and  giving  plausible  ex- 
cuses for  not  assisting  in  the  first,  had  succeeded  in  ingratiating 
himself  in  the  confidence  of  the  entire  gang,  except  Barker,  who 
was  conceded  to  be  the  smart  one  of  the  lot.  The  plan  was  exe- 
cuted and  the  detective  secured  the  necessary  evidence  to  convict 
the  suspects  by  means  known  only  to  the  profession.  The  Jay 
County  sheriff  was  notified  by  wire,  and  by  the  next  day  had  ar- 
rived at  Indianapolis  and  soon  had  a requisition  from  Governor 
Oliver  P.  Morton  on  Governor  John  Brough,  of  Ohio,  for  the 
parties  wanted. 

After  various  difficulties  had  been  overcome  at  Dayton,  such 
as  getting  rid  of  habeas  corpus  proceedings,  etc.,  the  prisoners. 
Barker,  Johns,  Bell,  Blackburn  and  Barker’s  mistress,  Etta 
Smith  by  name,  were  escorted  to  Muncie,  where  the  prisoners 
were  confined. 

The  successful  prosecutions  that  followed  were  due  to  the 
untiring  efforts  of  the  writer  of  the  first  sketch,  Judge  Jacob  M. 
Haynes,  at  that  time  judge  of  Jay  Court  of  Common  Pleas. 

The  trials  were  conducted  singly,  and  on  the  part  of  the 
prosecution  with  a degree  of  success  that  speaks  for  itself  of  the 
care,  ability  and  vigor  that  were  used  by  the  principle  attorney 
for  the  state. 

The  venerable  and  honorable  lawyer  referred  to  is  still  one 
of  the  most  prominent  of  Jay  County’s  residents,  and  when  talk- 
ing of  his  experiences  in  the  above  cases  shows  a memory  re- 
markable for  one  of  his  years. 


JAY  COUNTY. 


199 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

SKETCH  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  JAMES  ROONEY. 


I was  born  March  4th,  1815,  in  Burkly  County,  Virginia. 
Was  married  the  ith  day  of  May,  1838,  to  Rebecca  Murphy. 
Moved  to  Clinton  County,  Ohio,  in  the  fall  of  1838;  lived  there 
until  i860,  when  I moved  to  Jay  County,  Indiana,  onto  a farm  in 
Jackson  Township,  on  the  14th  day  of  October,  i860.  While 
on  our  way  to  Indiana  my  wife  was  taken  sick  and  died  and  was 
buried  at  Xenia,  Ohio.  After  she  was  buried  I,  with  my  six  chil- 
dren, came  on  to  the  farm  in  Jay  County,  that  I had  already  pur- 
chased in  the  summer  of  1861.  I built  a cabin  on  my  farm  and 
moved  into  it,  where  I and  my  children  lived  till  April  15th,  1868, 
when  I was  marreid  to  Elizabeth  Sisk,  who  I lived  with  until 
December  13th,  1893,  when  death  again  deprived  me  of  my  com- 
panion, since  which  time  I have  lived  with  my  daughter.  I lived 
at  Polingtown  during  the  time  I lived  with  my  second  wife,  nearly 
twenty-five  years. When  I move  onto  my  farm  it  was  nearly  all 
in  woods.  It  is  now  all  under  cultivation  except  about  six  acres. 
In  the  year  1840  I joined  the  new  Christian  church  in  Clinton 
County,  Ohio,  of  which  I remained  a member  until  I came  to  Ind- 
iana. In  the  fall  of  1866  I united  with  the  Christian  church  at 
West  Liberty,  where  I still  hold  membership. 


JAMES  ROONEY. 


200 


JA.Y  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 


The  following  sketch  was  give  me  by  Simon  Cox  himself. 
He  intended  writing  a full  history,  but  sickness  and  other  things 
prevented.  Simon  Cox  was  my  step-father. 

J.  M.  PAXSON. 


SIMON  COX. 

I was  born  in  North  Carolina,  Randolph  County,  the  15th 
day  of  second  month,  (February),  1798.  My  father  and  mother’s 
names  were  John  and  Patience.  I had  four  brothers,  Benjamin, 
John,  Joshua  and  Isah;  five  sisters,  Margery,  Patience,  Ruth, 
Martha  and  Hannah.  I was  about  two  years  old  when  we  moved 
to  Ohio.  Recollect  once  on  the  road  they  set  me  in  the  hind  end 
of  the  waggon,  and  in  driving  through  a mud  hole  I fell  out  in  the 
mud.  Father  settled  in  Ross  County,  on  Salt  Creek,  near  a town 
called  Richmond.  Father  bought  sixty  acres;  only  had  to  go  two 
miles  to  mill.  We  used  to  go  twelve  to  fifteen  miles  from  home 
hunting;  often  fire  hunted,  which  took  two  hunters;  one  to  carry 
a pine  knot  torch  and  one  to  do  the  shooting;  whenever  I saw  a 
deer’s  eyes  shinning  I would  hand  the  light  back  for  the  others  to 
hold  so  I could  see  along  the  gun  barrel.  Aimed  to  shoot  about 
one  foot  below  the  eyes  and  generally  fetched  them  down.  One 
night  I hit  one  in  the  end  of  the  nose.  There  was  one  buck  that 
was  too  sharp  for  us;  could  never  get  him  to  stand  long  enough 
to  shot ; got  so  close  one  night  I could  see  him,  but  he  got  behind 
something  before  I could  get  a shot.  Three  or  four  of  us  used  to 
go  together  in  purchasing  our  powder  and  get  it  b}^  the  keg. 


JAY  COUNTY. 


201 


Have  some  of  the  powder  yet,  and  I am  nearly  78.  There  was 
a big  shelving  rock  we  used  to  camp  under  when  we  went  hunt- 
ing; built  our  fire  out  from  the  rock  and  slept  between  the  fire  and 
the  rock.  Did  not  kill  any  bears  while  we  lived  in  Ohio.  Re- 
member one  time  I shot  three  deers  from  one  tree  a s fast 
as  I could  load  and  shoot.  None  of  them  ran  out  of  sight  after 
being  shot.  In  about  1818  Brother  Benjamin  moved  to  Ran- 
dolph County,  Ind., settling  near  where  Winchester  now  stands. 
Isah,  sister  Margery  and  myself  came  along  out  in  the  fall.  In 
the  spring  I and  brother  Isah  cleared  a field  on  a place  father  had 
been  out  and  entered  before  we  came.  Planted  the  field  in  corn. 
After  harvest  I went  home  and  father  and  myself,  moved  out. 
Father  entered  160  acres  at  $1.25  per  acre.  I was  married  the 
next  spring  after  father  came  out,  in  Wayne  County,  to  Tamer 
Shugart.  We  settled  on  80  acres  of  the  land  father  entered;  the 
east  80  acres  it  was.  I was  a little  turned  of  20  and  Tamer  a little 
over  18.  We  put  up  a log  cabin  16x18,  round  logs  (hewed  them 
down  after);  put  on  a weight  pole  roof;  had  no  chimney;  built 
only  the  logs  cut  out  for  the  fire  place  and  two  rounds  of  the  back 
wall;  laid  no  hearth,  no  floor,  no  door  up,  no  windows  cut  out, 
and  none  of  the  cracks  chunked  or  daubed;  laid  a few  clapboards 
on  the  sleepers  to  lay  our  bed  on;  the  tick  was  home-made,  and 
the  slats  (though  we  did  not  use  them)  were  home-made  shaved 
out  of  walnut.  It  snowed  the  first  night  afte.r  we  moved  in.  The 
first  summer  after  we  were  married  I stayed  and  farmed  father-in- 
law’s  place  and  in  the  fall  moved  on  the  land  I had  got  of  father. 
All  the  stock  I had  when  we  were  married  was  a heifer  and  spring 
colt.  My  ax  and  gun  was  the  rest  of  my  property.  Had  it  not 
been  for  my  gun  we  would  have  starved.  Remember  one  day  a 
neighbor,  James  Coats,  was  at  our  house  a squirrel  jumped  up 
on  a tree  and  Coats  picked  up  his  gun,  rested  it  on  the  jam  of  the 
fire  place,  shot  the  squirrel  from  where  he  was  setting.  Wild 
turkeys  were  so  fat  sometimes  that  when  shot  from  the  trees  they 
would  burst  open  when  falling  to  the  ground.  The  winter  I 
moved  in  my  cabin  I hauled  my  corn  up  from  Wayne  County  in 
the  snow.  The  first  time  went  after  a load  there  was  no  road. 
We  took  the  section  line  two  miles  east  of  where  Winchester 
now  stands  (was  no  town  there  then)  one  hand  traced  the  line  and 
the  rest  cleared  the  road.  It  was  a pretty  crooked  one,  too ; only 
got  about  seven  miles  the  first  day.  When  we  got  to  the  five 
mile  section  there  was  a forked  beech  stood  there.  Brother  Ben- 
jamin cut  W on  it  for  White  River,  and  5 for  miles.  About  two 
miles  south  of  that  we  camped;  had  Benjamin’s  waggon,  the  one 


202 


JAY  COUNTY. 


he  moved  in,  which  had  a cover  on;  snowed  a pretty  smart.  Snow 
that  night  with  what  we  had,  made  the  snow  pretty  deep.  The 
next  day  we  had  two  more  miles  of  road  to  clear  before  we  struck 
any)  other  road.  We  had  cleared  nine  miles  of  road  and  drove  the 
first  team  over  it.  I stopped  at  New  Corydon;  the  rest  went  to 
White  Water  after  corn  to  feed  their  horses.  Brother  Joshua  and 
I got  a team  at  New  Corydon,  took  a load  of  corn  I had  raised, 
got  a late  start,  so  we  had  to  camp  out  that  night  and  found  where 
a hollow  tree  had  blown  up;  the  top  part  of  the  log  ran  over, 
forming  a roof.  We  built  a fire  in  front  and  slept  back  in  the 
hollow,  keeping  pretty  warm;  got  home  the  next  day  a little  after 
noon.  I had  a big  stew  pot  I used  to  take  in  the  fore  end  of  the 
sled  when  I went  after  corn ; kept  fire  in  it  to  warm  by.  The  first 
winter  only  got  our  house  chunked  and  plastered  to  the  joist,  the 
chimney  above  the  jam;  cleared  four  acres  of  ground  and  fenced 
it  that  winter,  on  which  I raised,  the  following  summer,  enough 
corn  to  do  us  the  following  winter.  In  clearing  we  took  every 
advantage  of  the  timber  we  could.  Game  of  all  kind  was  plenty. 

Here  my  history  ends  as  taken  from  his  own  lips,  twenty 
years  ago,  but  wish  to  add  a few  lines  from  memory.  Himself 
and  wife  were  a hard  working,  saving  couple;  they  rocked  their 
first  born  in  a sugar  trough,  and  shared  life's  toils  together.  To 
theme  were  born  three  children,  neither  of  whom  are  now  living. 
They  were  two  boys  and  one  girl,  she  dying  young.  The  oldest, 
George  Cox,  so  well  known  near  Winchester,  passed  away  a few 
years  ago,  leaving  several  children  and  grand  children.  The 
other,  Elish  Cox,  has  been  dead  for  over  twenty  years,  leaving 
but  one  child,  now  living.  For  seven  years  I lived  with  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch,  he  having  married  my  mother,  Abigail  Paxson, 
of  Jay  County,  as  his  last  wife.  He  was  married  three  times. 
Simon  Cox  was  a member  of  the  Orthodox  society  of  Friends, 
and  for  several  years  of  the  last  years  of  his  life  set  ahead  of  the 
meeting  regularly.  When  physically  able  he  attended  meeting  at 
Jerecho,  his  home,  meeting  twice  a week.  The  kind,  quiet  old 
man  that  I called  father  Cox  holds  a place  in  my  memory  never  to 
be  forgotten  it  seems,  yet  I can  almost  feel  the  pressure  of  his 
arm  about  my  neck  as  I bid  him  good-bye  when  he  was  too  far 
gone  to  speak.  His  last  wife  died  five  years  before  him  on  No- 
vember 8th,  1881.  He  quietly  passed  away  aged  83  years,  8 
months  and  23  days;  was  laid  to  rest  in  the  quiet  country  grave 
yard  at  Jericho.  Though  being  a farmer,  he  worked  at  cabinet 
making  and  the  undertaking  business  together  with  his  youngest 
son,  assisting  in  making  their  own  coffins.  His  life  was  an  ex- 
ample of  honest  and  piety. 


JAY  COUNTY. 


203 


CHAPTER  XIX. 


Curtis  H.  Clark  was  bom  in  Preble  County,  Ohio,  February 
10th,  1828.  I was  then  small  and  can’t  remember  very  much 
about  my  few  first  years  of  life.  My  father  and  mother  were 
Kentuckians  and  emigrated  to  Ohio  on  account  of  slavery,  and 
being  religiously  opposed  to  the  system,  although  Grandfather 
Clark  was  the  owner  of  slaves.  At  the  time  of  the  great  Caine 
Ridge  revival  he  did  not  get  religion  enough  to  emancipate  them 
and  that  did  not  suit  my  father,  and  he  emigrated  to  the  then 
wilds  of  Ohio,  and  in  a few  years  enlisted  in  Gen.  Wm.  H.  Harri- 
son’s army,  or  in  other  words,  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  served 
almost  two  years.  Was  at  the  battle  of  Tippecanoe  and  at  the 
battle  of  the  Thames,  but  did  not  claim  the  honor  of  killing 
Tecumsia.  After  the  war  he  settled  in  Preble  County,  Ohio,  and 
was  married  to  Lucy  Hardy.  I can’t  give  the  date,  but  think  it 
was  in  1816.  In  the  course  of  time  to  them  was  born  seven  chil- 
dren; two  died  and  the  other  five  lived  to  become  men  and  wo- 
men. I was  the  sixth  child  and  next  to  the  yougesnt.  We  had 
very  poor  facilities  for  schooling,  even  in  Ohio,  at  that  time.  The 
school  house  in  our  district  was  a round  log  cabin  about  20x20 
feet,  and  we  had  but  three  months  school  each  year,  and  we  lived 
two  miles  and  a quarter  from  the  school  house,  and  the  district 
was  full  of  scholars.  Some  days  there  would  be  as  many  as 
twenty  full  grown  young  men  and  as  many  girls,  and  that  gave  us 
little  fellows  a poor  chance.  But  it  is  astonishing  how  one  can 
remember  things  so  long  ago.  It  is  now  sixty-two  years  since 
that  school,  and  I can  tell  the  names  of  the  scholars  and  things 


204 


JAY  COUNTY. 


that  happened  then  better  than  I can  what  happened  at  Liber  when 
I was  thirty.  I remember  on  the  Christmas  of  1834  the  big  boys 
was  going  to  make  the  master,  as  we  called  him,  treat  to  the  apple 
cider  and  ginger  cakes  or  they  would  duck  him  in  the  creek  near 
by.  Christmas  came  and  with  it  all  the  big  boys  and  girls,  and  it 
was  very  cold  and  the  creek  was  frozen  over  solid.  Everything 
went  well,  until  near  noon  a big  fellow  by  the  name  of  Ned  Felton, 
stepped  up  to  the  master  and  handed  him  the  written  demand, 
and  if  not  complied  with  the  result.  He  was  determined  he  would 
not  treat.  At  a given  signal  the  big  boys  closed  in  on  him  and 
carried  him  to  the  creek,  cut  the  ice  and  asked  him  if  he  would 
comply  with  the  terms.  He  says,  “no;  I will  drown  first.”  Four 
boys,  one  at  each  leg  and  arm,  gently  let  him  in  the  cold  water. 
It  took  the  third  imersion  before  he  agreed  to  comply  with  the 
terms.  I remember  most  all  the  names  of  the  actors  in  this  case 
and  if  I was  called  into  court  to-day  I could  give  better  evidence 
on  that  than  on  many  things  that  have  happened  in  the  last  few 
years.  I write  this  to  show  how  vividly  things  may  be  engraven 
on  the  young  mind.  Another  thing,  I remember  the  first  funeral 
I ever  was  at.  It  was  in  harvest  and  mother  was  going  and  asked 
me  to  go  with  her.  I remember  having  my  forebodings,  but 
I went.  After  the  preaching  they  took  the  corpse  out  in  the  yard 
for  the  last  view.  When  it  came  our  turn,  mother  took  me  by  the 
hand  and  I can  never  forget  the  sight.  They  did  not  embalm 
them  days  and  this  woman  had  passed  into  a bad  state  of  decom- 
position; the  smell  was  unbearable.  There  were  two  women  with 
a big  brush  on  each  side  of  the  coffin  keeping  the  flies  off.  I 
asked  my  mother  as  we  went  home  if  everybody  had  to  die  and 
smell.  Many  other  things  I might  mention  that  might  be  inter- 
esting to  some,  but  I will  now  leave  my  Ohio  home  and  go  to  Ind- 
iana. 

My  father  owned  a small  piece  of  land  consisting  of  65  acres, 
which  he  sold  for  $800,  $400  down  and  balance  in  one  and  two 
years’  time.  After  paying  all  his  debts  he  had  enough  left  to 
enter  160  acres  of  congress  land,  as  we  then  called  it.  He  first 
went  up  to  the  Tegarden  settlement,  in  Dark  County,  Ohio,  but 
not  liking  the  looks  of  things  as  well  as  he  expected,  he  con- 
cluded to  go  to  Indiana,  or  the  Hawkins  settlement,  as  it  was 
called,  on  the  Little  Salamonia.  Here  he  found  land  in  abund- 
ance for  entry  at  $1.25  per  acre.  He  had  friends  here  who  all 
wanted  new  neighbors  and  all  had  the  best  land  adjoining  the 
best  land.  A man  had  to  be  on  the  lookout  for  dry  land  at  that 
time.  He  located  on  what  is  now  the  James  Haynes’  place,  in 


JAY  COUNTY. 


205 


what  is  now  Pike  Township.  He  bought  out  old  Billy  Bunch, 
who  had  squatted  on  forty  acres  and  had  put  up  a cabin  and  a 
small  stable;  had  cleared  five  acres  and  planted  it  in  corn.  This 
improvement  he  sold  to  father  for  $50,  so  that  he  now  could  but 
enter  only  120  acres,  instead  of  160,  as  expected,  but  he  had  the 
house  and  stable  to  go  into  and  corn  and  fodder  to  winter  our 
horse  and  cows,  with  the  assistance  of  the  browse  from  trees  we 
felled  for  said  purpose.  He  now  returned  home  and  the  prepara- 
tions commenced  to  move  to  Indiana,  a great  place  in  our  estima- 
tion. The  1st  of  November,  1835,  we  were  ready  to  move;  we 
had  killed  our  hogs  and  every  thing  now  being  ready  it  was  a 
great  day  for  us  children.  Father  had  hired  two  four-horse  and 
•one  two-horse  teams  to  move  us.  (We  had  but  one  horse.)  These 
men  were  regular  teamsters  and  wagons  as  large  as  a canal  boat 
with  the  old-fashioned  Pennsylvania  beds.  A man  could  walk 
upright  under  the  cover.  They  made  it  a business  hauling  goods 
to  and  from)  Eaton  and  Richmond  to  Cincinnati  the  year  around. 
We  loaded  our  goods  in  these  three  large  wagons  and  moved  at 
daylight,  Thursday  morning.  By  agreement  Mr.  Wilkinson  was 
to  meet  us  at  Eaton  with  another  large  wagon  drawn  by  three 
horses,  moving  his  son,  C.  C.  Wilkinson,  to  the  same  settlement, 
which  consisted  almost  entirely  of  Preble  County  people;  Haw- 
kins being  first,  in  1829,  then  George  Bickle,  George  Hardy,  Eli 
Longnecker,  Henry  Welch,  Ben  Goldsmith,  Wm.  Isenhart  and 
John  S.  Mays  those  that  made  the  settlement  for  eight  miles 
along  the  creek  when  we  came.  I left  our  train  at  Eaton;  we 
moved  on  to  near  New  Paris  and  went  in  camp  for  the  night. 
You  may  think  we  had  a high  old  time  with  those  old  waggoners, 
they  being  used  to  that  way  of  living,  and  we  children  totally 
unacquainted,  but  all  went  well  on  the  road.  We  crossed  the 
Mississimewa  at  William  Simmons  and  here  our  roads  ended. 
It  was  but  a trace,  with  never  but  a few  wagons  along  it  now. 
Our  train  beat  all  ever  in  these  parts;  two  4-horse,  one  3-horse 
and  one  2-horse  wagons  stretched  out  them  woods  for  ten  miles 
that  Sunday  morning  and  not  one  single  house  to  be  seen  on  the 
entire  route,  but  we  landed  at  our  home  a little  before  sun-down 
and  all  our  friends  for  miles  was  there  to  greet  us  in  our  new 
home.  We  soon  had  the  beds  out  and  with  the  help  we  had, 
made  things  look  home-like.  Our  teamsters  stayed  with  us  that 
night  and  the  next  morning  bidding  us  good  bye.  We  were 
ensconed  in  our  new  home  in  the  then  wilderness.  It  was  very 
lonesome  for  a while,  but  we  got  used  to  it.  Father  hunted  most 
of  the  time;  he  could  make  more  hunting  than  at  anything  else. 


206 


JAY  COUNTY. 


He  would  often  kill  two  or  three  deers  a day,  and  besides  the 
meat  the  hides  brought  a good  price;  from  37*4  cents  to  75  cents. 
We  had  our  smoke  house  nearly  full  of  dry  deer  meat  at  a time. 
This  was  good  at  all  times  and  ready  for  use;  the  hams,  (there 
was  nothing  of  the  meat  kind  better)  after  being  smoked  were 
sliced  and  fried  in  butter.  Our  worst  trouble  was  to  get  milling 
done,  as  we  called  it.  The  nearest  mill  was  a little  water  mill  on 
the  Mississinewa,  twelve  miles  away  and  only  run  about  three 
months  in  the  year. 

In  April,  1836,  Dr.  Bosworth  moved  in  and  was  our  nearest 
neighbor.  They  were  eastern  people  and  well  educated;  the 
great  difference  in  our  talk  and  conversation  almost  put  a divi- 
sion between  us  that  was  insurmountable,  but  we  all  had  to  have 
favors;  we  adopted  some  of  their  ways  and  they  adopted  some  of 
ours  and  we  soon  became  fused,  as  the  saying  is,  and  other 
Yankees  came  in  and  land  of  nativity  forgotten. 

In  June,  1836,  my  mother  died  very  suddenly.  She  had 
eaten  her  supper  and  lit  her  pipe,  went  out  on  the  porch  to  smoke 
and  took  a spell  of  coughing  and  broke  a blood  vessel  and  died 
in  five  minutes.  This  was  a terrible  trial  for  us  children,  for  we 
loved  our  mother  above  all  others  and  confided  everything  in 
mother.  There  had  been  two  funerals  in  this  neighborhood  be- 
fore mother’s,  John  Hawkins  and  Uncle  George  Hardy.  They 
had  split  blue  ash  puncheons  and  made  coffins  for  them,  but  now 
the  question  was,  what  will  we  do?  It  being  very  warm  weather, 
something  must  be  done  at  once;  no  planks  nearer  than  Win- 
chester, no  nails  nearer  than  Deerfield,  twelve  miles  away.  Dr. 
Bosworth  came  to  our  relief;  he  had  a new’  poplar  wagon  bed  he 
had  made  to  move  in,  which  he  offered  as  the  best  he  could  do. 
Now  the  qusetion  of  tools  and  nails.  The  country  was  gone  over 
from  Obediah  Winters  to  Ben  Goldsmith’s,  a distance  of  eight 
miles,  and  all  the  old  rusty  nails  that  could  be  found  were  donated. 
Late  in  the  evening  the  coffin,  or  in  other  words,  the  box,  was 
done  and  mother  was  laid  in  and  then  we  took  the  last  sad  view 
of  her  remains;  the  top  or  lid  was  then  put  on  and  nailed  down 
with  the  hammer  and  common  nails,  then  carried  by  hand  half 
a mile  to  its  resting  place.  This  was  a different  funeral  from  the 
present.  Two  years  from  the  next  August,  in  1838,  father  took 
sick  and  in  two  weeks  he  died.  He  had  commenced  to  build  a 
new  house  and  had  brought  three  poplar  batten  doors  for  house. 
Those  they  took  and  made  his  coffin,  in  which  he  was  buried. 
There  was  a young  man  at  our  house  building  a saw  mill  and  had 
nails  and  screws  to  make  it.  Here  I am  at  the  age  of  10  without 
father  or  mother,  thrown  on  the  cold  charities  of  the  world.  We 


JAY  COUNTY. 


207 


broke  up  house-keeping  and  went  back  to  Preble  County  and 
staid  one  year,  and  I was  lonesome,  as  all  the  rest  of  the  family 
were  in  Indiana.  I had  a good  place  and  was  well  used  and  hated 
to  leave  the  old  man  that  had  taken  me  down  there,  as  he  was 
.going  to  move  out  to  Indiana,  and  told  him  he  had  brought  me 
there  he  must  take  me  back.  When  the  old  man  bid  me  good- 
bye he  cried,  and  so  did  I.  When  he  got  on  his  horse  to  start 
back  I had  a great  notion  to  mount  on  behind  again  and  go  back 
to  Jay  County,  but  as  it  had  got  to  be,  I stayed  with  C.  C.  Wilkin- 
son the  next  winter.  I remember  going  to  mill  on  horseback; 
early  in  April  we  shelled  five  bushels  of  corn  and  put  it  in  two 
sacks,  2^2  bushels  in  each,  and  in  the  morning,  just  at  daylight, 
•cold  and  frosty,  light  scum  of  ice,  he  put  one  sack  on  old  Bet  and 
histed  me  on  it;  the  other  on  Rock,  and  he  mounted,  to  go  twelve 
miles  to  the  mill.  It  was  almost  through  the  woods  and  briddle 
paths,  as  they  were  called.  We  got  to  the  mill  a little  before 
noon;  the  old  miller  told  us  we  could  get  our  grinding  in  two 
hours.  We  got  it  all  right,  but  it  was  growing  cold  and  we 
twelve  miles  from  home.  I was  not  well  clad  for  the  weather 
and  before  we  got  half  way  home  it  began  to  freeze,  and  when  I 
got  home  and  was  taken  off  the  horse  I could  neither  stand  or 
walk,  I was  so  near  frozen  and  so  hungry.  By  and  by  I thawed 
out  and  ate  a hearty  supper  and  was  all  right.  In  August,  1840, 
I was  bound  out  to  Hiram  Rathbun  for  seven  and  a half  years, 
or  until  I was  21  years  old,  for  the  consideration  of  $100  and  one 
year’s  schooling,  a freedom  suit  of  clothes,  to  cost  at  least  $20. 
I served  my  time  as  per  contract  and  was  a free  man  at  21.  Since 
that  time  I have  had  many  ups  and  downs,  as  most  men.  I was 
the  fist  man  to  volunterr  for  three  years  in  Jay  County,  in  1861. 


CURTIS  JL  CLARK. 


208 


JAY  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  XX. 


A sketch  of  the  life  of  F.  M.  McLaughlin,  now  a resident  of 
the  city  of  Portland,  Jay  County,  Ind. 

His  father,  John  McLaughlin,  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Jay 
County,  Indiana;  he  was  born  in  Bath  County,  Virginia,  Febr- 
uary 2 ist,  1799,  and  resided  there  until  he  was  22  years  of  age. 

Although  a native  of  a slave  state,  he  imbided  a hatred  of 
slavery,  and  the  cause  of  his  leaving  his  native  state  was  the 
danger  he  incurred  for  chastising  a slave  driver  for  beating  a 
slave. 

His  mother  was  also  a native  of  Randolph  County,  Virginia, 
being  born  December  21st,  1805,  and  resided  there  until  her  15th 
year,  when  her  father,  Christopher  Spillman,  emigraed  to  Meigs 
County,  Ohio,  where  she  was  married  to  my  father,  John  Mc- 
Laughlin, August  24th,  1824. 

To  this  union  eleven  children  were  born,  six  boys  and  five 
girls,  six  of  whom  are  still  living.  William,  John,  Wiley  and  the 
subject  of  this  sketch  were  soldiers  during  the  late  war  of  the 
Rebellion.  Wiley  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Franklin,  Term., 
while  making  a charge  on  the  rebel  lines. 

My  father  emigrated  to  Jay  County  in  November,  1833, 
and  settled  in  Madison  Township,  on  the  farm  now  owned  by 
J.  Armstrong. 

On  his  arrival  he  found  that  he  had  insufficient  money  to  pay 
the  entry  fee  on  the  land  he  wished  to  enter,  consequently  he 
was  obliged  to  relinquish  this  land  for  the  time,  and  with  the  hope 
of  securing  some  land  for  his  own,  he  went  to  Kosciosko  County 
where  he  rented  a farm  on  which  he  lived  until  October  ist,  1837, 
when  he  returned  to  Jay  County  and  entered  160  acres  of  land 


JAY  COUNTY. 


209 


one  half  of  a mile  east  of  the  village  of  Salamonia.  While  living 
in  Kosciosko  County,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born,  April 
9th,  1836,  and  was  one  year  and  six  months  old  when  lie  arrived 
in  Jay  County,  so  that  I was  born  the  same  year  that  Jay  County 
was  organized  and  came  to  the  county  in  the  same  year  that  the 
town,  now  city,  of  Portland  was  laid  out,  so  that  you  will  see  that 
I have  saw  the  county  transformed  from  a vast  wilderness  to 
what  it  now  is. 

My  father  killed  a wolf  near  the  house  the  same  day  that  my 
Brother  John  was  born.  I was  but  one  and  a half  years  old  when 
we  arrived  in  this  county,  and  here  I was  reared  on  a farm  and 
subject  to  all  of  the  hardships  of  a pioneer  life;  I never  had  a 
pair  of  shoes  until  I was  13  years  old;  there  was  quite  a number 
of  Indians  in  Jay  County  at  the  time  of  the  McLaughlin  family 
coming  to  the  county,  and  I just  then  learning  to  talk,  and  one 
Indian  took  quite  a fancy  to  what  they  called  the  white  papoose, 
and  learned  me  to  talk  the  Indian  language,  some  of  which  I 
now  remember  yet.  I recollect  very  well  the  first  cigar  I ever 
saw ; some  person  found  it  about  half  a mile  from  our  house,  near 
the  blacksmith  shop  of  George  Beard,  and  when  I heard  that 
they  had  found  a cigar  I had  no  idea  what  it  looked  like.  I 
imagined  that  it  was  a fancy  pipe  of  some  kind,  so  I told  mother 
that  I was  going  to  see  it.  She  refused  me  this  privilege,  but  I 
told  her  that  I would  go,  and  she  said  that  I must  not,  as  it  was 
through  the  woods  all  the  way,  but  my  curiosity  was  so  aroused 
that  I ran  away  and  went,  and  when  I arrived  at  Mr.  Beard’s  I 
told  them  that  I had  come  to  see  that  cigar  that  had  been  found. 
They  got  it  and  showed  it  to  me,  but  I told  them  that  they  could 
not  play  that  kind  of  a trick  on  me,  as  I wanted  to  see  the  cigar 
that  had  been  found,  and  not  a leaf  of  tobacco  that  had  been 
twisted  up,  but  Mrs.  Beard  told  me  that  it  was  the  cigar,  and  I 
think  that  I went  home  the  worst  disgusted  boy  you  ever  saw. 

I had  no  opportunity  to  go  to  school  and  had  no  clothes 
sufficient  to  keep  me  warm  in  winter  time,  and  there  was  no 
school  in  the  summer  time,  and  if  there  had  been,  we  could  not 
have  went,  as  we  all  had  to  work  in  the  summer  to  clear  up  the 
farm.  The  only  way  that  I got  any  education  at  all  was  that 
every  dime  I got  I bought  a book  with  and  every  moment  that 
I had  from  work  I was  readin  or  writing  on  something  with  a 
piece  of  chalk  or  coal  or  anything  I could  get  hold  of. 

There  was  a preacher  at  our  house  one  time  and  we  stole 
his  pony  out  and  run  a race  with  one  of  our  horsese  and  they 
collided  in  the  race  and  knocked  me  off  and  pretty  nearly  broke 
my  neck.  We  had  a cross  ram  and  we  used  to  take  it  by  turns 


210 


JAY  COUNTY. 


and  stand  out  and  let  him  make  a run  at  us  and  see  who  could 
dodge  him,  and  my  Brother  John  one  day  failed  to  dodge  him, 
and  he  nearly  broke  his  back  for  him,  and  father  did  not  know 
we  had  been  teasing  the  ram  and  he  killed  him  for  butting  John. 

In  those  times  we  could  only  farm  the  higher  lands,  and  the 
black  soil  that  is  now  the  best  of  land  was  all  under  water  and  was 
only  inhabited  with  frogs  and  snakes  the  whole  year  round,  and 
when  we  got  a piece  of  ground  cleared  and  raised  a crop  of  corn 
on  it,  it  was  almost  impossible  to  save  it,  as  there  were  so  many 
coons,  foxes,  squirrels,  turkeys  and  deers  to  eat  it  that  we  had 
to  constantly  watch  it  until  it  was  ripe  sufficient  to  be  shucked 
and  brought  in,  and  I can  now  hardly  believe  how  plenty  these 
wild  animals  were.  I have  saw  twenty  to  twenty-five  deers  at  one 
time.  I at  one  time  shot  twenty  squirrels  from  one  tree,  and  very 
well  remember  the  day  that  my  oldest  sister,  Jane,  was  married. 
I think  that  it  was  in  January,  1846.  The  old  folks  did  not  in- 
form us  of  the  wedding,  but  we  found  it  out  and  my  older 
brothers,  Hugh,  William  and  John,  felt  that  they  had  been 
slighted,  and  they  ran  away  and  went  hunting,  and  it  being  Sun- 
day, they  felt  hurt  about  the  slight,  took  to  the  woods  early  in  the 
morning;  I could  not  go,  as  I had  no  shoes  to  wear,  and  they 
never  returned  until  it  was  getting  dark  in  the  evening.  Just 
about  the  time  that  the  preacher  was  ready  to  perform  the  cere- 
mony the  three  boys  came  marching  in.  They  had  ten  rabbits, 
eight  opossums,  two  raccoons,  a fox  and  a mink.  They  had  them 
all  strung  on  one  pole  and  it  was  a little  embarrassing  for  father, 
but  they  all  had  a good  laugh  on  the  amount  of  game  the  boys 
had  caught  and  the  wedding  went  on  all  the  same.  I had  for- 
gotten what  kind  of  a dress  that  my  sister  wore  no  that  occasion, 
I interviewed  her  a few  days  ago  and  she  says  that  she  thinks 
that  it  was  a blue  calico  that  she  could  buy  anywhere  now  for  4 
cents  a yard;  she  says  she  worked  out  and  waited  on  sick  folks 
for  50  cents  a week  and  took  calico  at  37^  cents  per  yard  for  her 
pay,  and  that  was  the  way  that  she  got  her  wedding  dress,  and  six 
yards  made  the  dress,  as  that  was  all  that  they  put  in  a dress  at 
that  time.  I remember  that  she  wore  a cap;  all  brides  at  that 
time  wore  a cap  like  their  grandmothers  wore  when  they  got 
married.  We  think  that  we  have  hard  times  now,  but  we  are 
living  in  paradise  to  what  we  did  then.  I have  often  saw  the 
time  when  we  got  up  in  the  morning  that  we  could  not  get  any 
breakfast  until  we  grated  meal  enough  for  a big  family  on  a 
piece  of  tin  with  holes  punched  through  it  with  a nail.  I could 
give  you  many  more  incidents  of  early  life  in  Jay  County,  but  I 
have  already  taken  up  too  much  space. 


JAY  COUNTY. 


21 1 


My  father  died  in  March,  i860,  leaving  my  mother  not  in 
good  circumstances;  he  had  40  acres  of  land  near  the  village  of 
Salamonia,  which  she  choose  as  her  dower  in  the  estate;  there 
was  no  house  on  it,  only  an  old  log  cabin,  and  I did  not  think  it 
fit  for  her  to  live  in,  so  I set  out  to  build  her  a house.  I cut  and 
hewed  the  logs  for  a house  and  Brother  Hugh  hauled  them  for 
me,  and  I built  her  a hewed  log  house.  It  took  all  the  money 
that  she  and  I both  had  to  complete  it  and  I had  to  trade  my  sil- 
ver watch  to  the  carpenters  to  get  it  finished.  About  that  time 
the  war  came  on  and  we  all  went  to  the  army  and  left  her  and 
my  youngest  sister,  Rebecca,  who  now  lives  near  Toledo,  Ohio, 
to  do  the  farming  and  to  get  along  the  best  that  they  could. 

I left  the  service  in  the  fall  of  1863  and  returned  home. 
Miss  Susan  Keck,  a Liber  student,  was  borading  at  my  mother’s 
and  teaching  the  village  school,  and  on  the  18th  day  of  October, 
1863,  we  were  married  and  commenced  housekeeping  in  the  old 
cabin  that  was  situated  near  my  mother’s  house.  Mv  wife  was 
a good  scholar  and  was  a great  help  to  me;  she  being  a fine  mathe- 
matecian,  I learned  much  from  her  teaching  after  our  marriage. 
I rented  mother’s  farm  and  we  started  to  make  a living.  I had 
$60  in  money  that  I had  saved  up,  and  that  was  all  the  money  we 
had  to  start  on,  and  that  only  bought  us  a cook  stove,  six  wooden 
chairs  and  a few  other  trinkets,  and  all  our  money  was  gone  and 
Mrs.  McLaughlin  traded  her  watch  for  a set  of  dishes,  and  we 
thought  that  we  were  pretty  well  fixed.  I farmed  for  a living 
until  1871,  taking-jobs  of  ditching  and  farming,  and  I managed 
to  make  a living  until  1871,  when  I was  elected  as  recorder  of  Jay 
County,  serving  two  terms  of  four  years  each,  and  by  economy 
and  by  the  help  of  my  good  wife,  we  secured  a reasonable  good 
home.  Six  children  have  been  born  to  us,  three  girls  and  three 
boys,  all  of  whom  are  now  living,  three  being  married  and  three 
single.  My  wife  was  always  a faithful  and  a noble  wife  and  a 
hard  worker,  and  through  exposure  she  contracted  consumption, 
which  baffled  all  medical  skill,  and  on  the  23rd  day  of  April,  1894, 
she  died,  since  which  time  I have  had  a very  lonely  life  and  am 
only  waiting  for  the  time  to  come  when  we  mav  be  united  in  the 
spirit  land.  F.  M.  McLAUGHLIN. 


212 


JAY  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 


William  G.  Sutton  was'  born  in  Green  County,  Ohio,  on  the 
1 2th  of  April,  1828. 

In  the  month  of  September,  1837,  his  father  (Isaiah  Sutton) 
and  family  emirated  to  eastern  Indiana,  opening  a farm  on  the 
present  site  of  the  beautiful  city  of  Dunkirk,  in  Jay  County. 

At  that  time  this  country  was  a vast  wilderness.  His  father 
had  to  cut  a road  three  miles  or  more  throuh  the  timber  to  reach 
his  land.  The  nearest  neighbor  on  the  south  was  three  miles; 
on  the  east,  four  miles;  on  the  west,  five  miles,  and  on  the  north, 
eight  miles. 

The  nearest  postoffice  was  at  Muncie,  eighteen  miles  dis- 
tance. The  nearest  mills  for  grinding  grain  were  at  Chester- 
field, Madison  County,  and  Hagerstown,  Wayne  County. 

Newspapers  were  unknown. 

When  they  began  to  build  school  houses  they  made  them 
of  unhewn  logs  with  fire  places  big  enough  to  burn  wood  four 
feet  long,  the  back  wall  and  jams  made  of  mud,  as  were  also  the 
chimnies  with  sticks  and  mud.  The  cracks  of  the  buildings  were 
daubed  with  mud,  that  making  the  houses  comparatively  com- 
fortable. To  secure  light,  sufficient  openings  were  made  in  the 
walls,  over  which  was  pasted  greased  paper  instead  of  glass, 
thus  permitting  light  enough  for  the  pupils  to  pursue  their 
studies.The  seats  for  the  children  were  made  of  long  puncheons 
hewn  from  a large  sappling  split,  with  legs  and  arranged  so  the 
pupils  all  faced  inward.  The  teachers  were  suposed  to  have 
some  knowledge  of  reading,  writing  and  arithemetic. 

Mr.  Sutton’s  younger  days  were  devoted  to  securing  an 
education  in  the  common  schools  of  the  neighborhood,  after 
which  he  engaged  in  farming  and  teaching.  He  began  teaching 
at  20  years  of  age,  devoting  thirteen  years  to  the  profession  in 


WILLIAM  G.  SUTTON. 


LIBRARY 

UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 
URBANA 


JAY  COUNTY. 


213 


this  immediate  vicinity,  where  he  has  lived  since  childhood, 
excepting  nine  years,  from  1859  to  1868,  he  lived  in  Portland, 
the  county  seat. 

In  April,  1859,  he  was  nominated  for  the  office  of  auditor 
on  the  Republican  ticket,  and  in  October  was  elected  to  said 
office  by  a majority  of  sixty-five  votes  over  Dr.  Manuel  Reed, 
Democrat.  At  the  October  election  in  1863,  he  was  re-elected 
by  a majority  of  eighty  over  James  G.  Adair,  Democrat,  serving 
in  said  office  eight  years. 

Mr.  Sutton  has  lived  in  Jay  County  almost  sixty  yeaps  and 
has  witnessed  the  growth  and  development  of  his  early  home 
with  pardonable  pride,  for  to  himself  and  father,  more  than  any 
others  is  due  the  credit  for  placing  the  substantial  foundations 
upon  which  the  city  of  Dunkiry  is  built.  He  has  used  every 
legitimate  means  within  his  power  to  induce  the  location  of  manu- 
facturing industries  that  would  tend  to  increase  the  importance  of 
the  town. 

When  natural  gas  was  discovered  in  1887,  he  platted  three 
additions  to  Dunkirk  and  placed  sixty-five  lots  on  the  market  at 
$100  each,  the  proceeds,  $6,500,  being  presented  as  a bonus  to 
J.  T.  Wilcox,  who  established  the  first  window  glass  factory  in 
the  city.  He  has  been  foremost  in  all  enterprises  that  had  for 
their  object  increased  municipal  importance.  Socially  he  is  a 
genial  and  friendly  gentleman  who  stands  high  in  the  estimation 
of  his  fellow  citizens,  who  are  not  slow  to  recognize  the  true 
value  of  such  a man  in  the  community.  He  is  a member  of  the 
Congregational  church,  also  a member  of  the  leading  local 
fraternial  organizations,  and  there,  as  elsewhere,  he  stands  in  the 
foremost  ranks. 

September  5th,  1847,  Mr.  Sutton  was  married  to  Miss  Judith 
Gauntt,  of  Randolph  County,  who  died  on  the  nth  day  of  April, 
1893.  Their  three  sons  and  one  daughter,  who  are  now  living, 
are  residents  of  Dunkirk,  and  are  highly  respected  citizens. 

January  4th,  1894,  Mr.  Sutton  was  united  in  marriage  to  his 
second  wife,  Miss  Angie  Graham,  of  Julesburg,  Colorado. 

Although  practically  retired  from  active  business  life,  Mr. 
Sutton  is  still  directly  interested  in  a number  of  leading  enter- 
prises, and  his  judgment  and  advice  is  eagerly  sought  by  business 
men  of  the  younger  generation. 

For  his  generosity,  benevolence  and  leniency  he  is  known 
far  and  near,  and  by  his  courteous  manner  and  pleasant  way  has 
done  what  few  can  do — made  every  acquaintance  a steadfast 
friend. 


214 


JAY  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

BIOGRAPHY  OF  JOSEPH  L.  CARL. 


I was  born  in  Bloomfield,  Essex  County,  New  Jersey, 
January  1st,  1819.  At  the  age  of  eight  years  I was  sent  to  school 
and  my  parents  being  poor,  I could  only  go  three  months.  There 
was  no  free  school  those  days  and  as  there  were  several  children 
of  us  our  school  privileges  had  to  be  divided  among  us  all.  We 
had  to  pay  $1.25  per  quarter.  So  in  my  three  months  I learned 
to  read,  write  and  cipher,  as  it  was  then  called.  At  the  age  be- 
tween nine  and  ten  I went  to  work  in  a woolen  factory,  managed 
by  a firm  named  Wile’s,  at  $1.50  per  week,  and  by  being  promoted 
my  wages  were  raised  and  on  less  time,  and  as  there  was  a night 
school  started  I went  to  it  at  night. 

At  school  we  used  to  try  and  surpass  each  other  in  learning. 
Our  books  were  the  old  Daybold  arithemetic,  the  old  green  leaf 
grammar  and  the  old  English  reader.  At  the  age  of  thirteen  I 
went  to  work  at  wall  paper  printing.  There  was  no  machinery 
those  days  and  we  had  to  take  paper  by  sheets  and  past  them  to- 
gether to  make  them  long  enough  to  make  a bolt  and  then  put 
on  the  ground  work  with  burshes  by  hand  and  print  the  paper 
by  blocks.  We  could  only  put  one  color  on  at  a time  and  press 
the  blanks  with  a hand  press;  and  now  what  a change  progres- 
sion has  made  in  that  line.  At  the  age  of  seventeen  and  a half 
I went  to  the  city  of  Newark,  N.  J.,  to  learn  the  cabinet  makers’ 
trade.  I was  bound  to  my  preceptor  until  I was  21  years  old,  but 
when  I was  20  I had  some  difficulty  with  my  boss  and  I ran  away 
and  went  to  New^  York  city,  and  still  continued  at  my  trade.  At 
the  age  of  twenty-two  and  a half  I married,  it  being  July  3rd, 


JAY  COUNTY. 


215 


1841,  to  Elizabeth  Casterline.  After  that  I went  into  business 
for  myself,  and  in  the  spring  of  ’55  I came  to  Indiana.  I lived  in 
Fairfield,  Franklin  County,  in  this  state,  and  in  the  spring  I 
moved  to  Green  Township,  Jay  County,  in  the  woods  on  the 
farm  now  owned  by  Jacob  Whiteman,  and  in  ’64  I bought  the  farm 
known  as  the  Timberlake,  which  we  own  yet.  To  look  at  Jay 
County  then  and  now,  the  rising  generation  would  hardly  believe 
the  change  it  has  made.  No  horses  and  no  fine  buggies  to  ride 
in;  horse  back  was  the  only  mode  of  conveyance  then  in  winter 
and  muddy  times.  I went  to  one  of  our  neighbors,  George 
Whitemen,  and  got  300  pounds  of  hay  and  yet  got  stuck  in  the 
mud  and  had  to  walk  a mile  to  Adam  Zigle’s  and  get  his  oxen  to 
pull  me  out  and  help  me  home  with  it.  I was  elected  in  1862  as 
assessor  for  Green  Township.  I served  three  years,  then  by  the 
persuasion  of  my  friends,  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace  and 
served  four  years.  That  gave  me  enough  of  public  office.  Al- 
though I was  a strong  Democrat  and  took  an  active  part  in 
politics,  I would  decline  all  office. 

There  was  splendid  hunting  them  days.  You  could  hear  the 
crack  of  the  rifle  every  hour  of  the  day;  squirrel  was  plenty,  wild 
turkey  was  plenty,  and  some  deer.  James  Spahn, Mathias  Spahn 
and  Jacob  Koup  and  myself,  in  the  fall,  would  take  a trip  to 
Paulding  County  and  camp  out  two  or  three  weeks.  My  experi- 
ence in  deer  hunting  was  very  limited,  not  knowing  how  to  hunt 
deer.  James  Spahn  went  out  to  hunt  deer  and  we  separated  and 
in  a few  minutes  I heard  his  rifle  crack  and  he  hoted  like  an  owl 
and  I went  to  him,  and  he  had  killed  one.  We  hung  him  up  and 
started  out  again.  I had  not  gone  far  before  two  deers  jumped 
up  before  me  not  twenty  steps  from  me,  and  I had  a double  gun 
and  could  have  killed  them  both,  but  I was  so  excited  to  see 
their  tails  pop  up  that  I took  the  gun  down  from  my  face  and  let 
them  run  off,  forgetting  that  I had  a gun  until  they  had  gone  out 
of  my  sight.  My  luck  eneded  there;  I had  no  such  chance  after 
that.  I was  out  turkey  hunting  with  Redman  Gaunt  and  we  got 
after  a flock  of  turkeys.  He  told  me  to  go  to  the  old  Timberlak 
school  house,  in  a narrow  strip  of  woods,  and  set  down;  that  they 
would  all  come  down  through  them.  I went  down,  but  they  were 
hollowing  up  in  the  deadening;  I was  so  anxious  I could  not  wait, 
so  I went  after  them,  but  they  all  slipped  through  where  I had 
been  and  the  consequence  was  I got  none  and  Gaunt  got  four,  and 
he  said  to  me  that  the  next  time  he  would  put  me  under  a brush 
heap  to  keep  me  still,  but  I finally  learned  how  to  hunt.  In  1869 
I left  the  farm  and  moved  to  the  place  called  Dunkirk,  and  started 
business  in  the  furniture  line.  It  was  a small  place  then;  about 


216 


JAY  COUNTY. 


200  inhabitants  then,  and  in  1872  I commenced  practice  in  law. 
I was  appointed  deputy  prosecutor  under  Jesse  Lafallett,  Lutfier 
I.  Baker,  Adair,  George  Whitaker  and  R.  H.  Hatfield.  I quit 
the  furniture  and  undertaking  business  about  twelve  years  ago. 
My  wife  died  about  six  years  ago  and  I broke  up  keeping  house 
and  lived  with  my  son.  The  town  of  Dunkirk  has  grown  from 
200  inhabitants  to  a city  of  5,000,  with  brick  streets,  good  walks, 
large  brick  business  houses,  splendid  churches,  two  large  school 
houses,  which  now  has  an  attendance  of  1,000  children.  It  seems 
wonderful  to  me  that  I have  lived  from  the  time  that  there  were 
no  railroads,  no  telegraph,  no  photograph,  no  phonegraph  and 
with  all  of  the  progressiveness  that  has  been  made.  While  so 
many  have  been  denied  this  grand  privilege  I have  lived  to  see 
all  of  my  mother’s  family  of  eleven  children  go,  while  I am  the 
only  one  left,  but  such  is  life. 


JAY  COUNTY. 


217 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 


The  Cunninghams,  of  the  eastern  part  of  Jay  County,  repre- 
sent a pioneer  family  that  figured  in  the  border  wars  of  Virginia. 

An  aunt  of  Benjamin  Cunningham,  one  of  the  subjects  of 
this  sketch,  was  taken  prisoner  by  the  Indians,  her  arm  pinioned 
and  she  was  made  to  carry  her  babe  on  her  hands  until  becoming 
exhausted,  the  child  was  taken  from  her,  its  brains  dashed  out 
against  a tree  and  the  body  cast  upon  the  ground.  She  was 
some  weeks  in  captivity,  but  was  finally  bought  and  set  at 
liberty  by  the  notorious  Simon  Girty. 

Benjamin  and  Margaret  Cunningham  moved  from  Gillia 
County,  Ohio,  in  1832,  and  settled  first  one-half  mile  west  of 
Fort  Recovery,  moving  across  the  state  line  into  Indiana  a couple 
of  years  later.  In  1838  they  selected  a site  on  a small  hill  mid- 
way between  Fort  Recovery,  Ohio  and  Liber,  Ind.,  and  there 
Margaret,  or  as  her  friends  nick-named  her,  “Aunt  Peggy,”  still 
lives  as  this  sketch  is  put  to  press,  at  the  advanced  age  of  96. 

Three  of  their  sons  served  in  the  late  war.  Jacob,  the  second 
son,  died  in  the  south,  and  Abraham,  the  third  son,  came  home 
and  died  from  consumption  contracted  while  a prisoner.  Isaac 
and  William,  Sarah  and  Orinda,  the  surviving  children  are  resi- 
dents of  Jay  County.  Among  the  grand-childen  of  this  pioneer 
couple  we  number  the  Cunningham  brothers,  the  music  dealers 
of  Portland. 


2 I 8 


JAY  COUNTY. 


CHAPTFR  XXIV. 


In  regard  to  my  ancestors,  we  trace  lineage  to  William  Ed- 
mundson,  who  died  in  June,  1712,  aged  85  years,  and  left 
memories  or  accounts  of  his  travels  in  the  wilds  of  America,  the 
West  Indias  and  the  British  Empire  as  a Quaker  preacher.  The 
account  of  these  and  other  acts  of  his  life,  as  kept  by  him,  were 
published  about  two  years  later  in  a book  of  335  pages,  a copy  of 
which  has  come  to  me  by  decent  from  generation  to  generation. 
He  was  a man  of  very  strong  self-will  and  enthusiastic  in  religious 
work  and  would  not  stop  for  cold  or  storm,  and  he  spent  .most  of 
his  time  in  what  would  now  be  called  missionary  work.  That 
strong  self-will  predominates  yet  in  his  decendents.  Back  to  my 
grandparents  the  age  ran  to  about  90  years.  As  to  myself,  I was 
born  April  17th,  1825,  in  Frederick  County,  Maryland.  I am 
the  son  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  Edmundson.  I have  five  sisters 
and  two  brothers.  We  moved  to  Clinton  County,  Ohio,  in  1833, 
it  took  five  weeks  to  make  the  trip  with  a three-horse  wagon. 
One  sister  was  left  in  Maryland.  As  small  as  I was  I walked 
much  of  the  way.  The  pine  in  the  mountains  was  so  dense  in 
some  places  that  the  sun  did  not  shine  on  the  ground,  and  some 
places  they  were  on  fire  and  the  fire  was  so  fierce  that  we  were 
afraid  it  would  burn  the  wagon.  We  stayed  in  Ohio  untill  1837, 
then  we  moved  to  Jay  County.  The  oldest  sister  was  married 
in  Ohio.  We  moved  in  the  same  wagon  and  four  horses,  having 
three  cows  and  a small  amount  of  clothing  and  household  goods, 
and  only  $40  in  money,  and  we  had  240  acres  of  unimproved  land. 
My  father  and  two  brothers  came  here  about  the  time  the  snow 
went  off  in  the  spring;  got  their  wagon  along  to  Montpelier,  then 
went  on  foot.  With  gun  and  what  they  could  carry  they  got 


7-:  " ' ^#f***r*'  • • ^ ; 


JAY  COUNTY. 


219 


well  on  toward  the  Salamonia  river.  Night  coming  on,  they  shot 
into  a hollow  tree  and  got  a fire  the  first  shot.  Having  some 
wraps  they  got  along  quite  well.  A man  named  Haines  and 
another  man  started  on  their  trail  in  the  snow,  but  failed  to  over- 
take father.  They  came  near  perishing  with  the  cold.  One  of 
them  had  enough  energy  to  walk  about  and  the  other  did  not  and 
the  other  dragged  him  about  to  keep  him  alive  till  morning. 
When  day  came  he  got  life  enough  to  walk  on.  Father  struck 
the  river  south  of  the  old  Sam  Grisel  farm.  There  was  a tree 
across  the  river  and  a rail  fastened  above  it  and  the  river  was  so  high 
that  they  had  to  cross  over  on  it.  Father  and  brothers  Came  to 
the  land  I live  on  and  built  a cabin  about  twenty  feet  square,  cut 
a door  and  one  window,  laid  a puncheon  floor  on  about  one-half 
of  it,  and  cut  afire  place  at  the  other  end,  cleared  a little  land 
and  raised  some  truck  and  rented  a part  of  the  Godfrey  farm  and 
raised  some  corn  and  the  biggest  crop  of  Spanish  needles  I have 
ever  seen.  That  seemed  to  be  what  the  Indians  seeded  their 
ground  with,  and  they  and  the  bones  of  the  Indians  on  the 
banks  of  the  Slokum  and  the  old  brick  house  is  among  the  land 
marks  left  by  the  Indians,  and  there  was  many  elm  trees  stand- 
ing that  they  had  peeled  to  get  bark  from  to  cover  their  Wig- 
wams and  to  make  canoes.  I never  seen  a tree  peeled  so  nicely 
by  a write  man.  But  I have  lost  track  of  mother  and  sister 
while  I have  been  looking  after  the  Indians,  (but  that  was  no 
uncomon  occurrance  in  the  early  settlements,  and  to  return  to 
find  them  scalped).  When  father  and  .son  returned  to  Clarke 
County,  Ohio,  about  the  first  of  August  1837  Mother  and  the 
rest  of  the  family  was  read}'  to  try  their  fortunes  where  Uncle 
Sam  with  his  good  sword  and  rifle  had  .said:  Mr.  Indian,  inove*on 
I am  going  to  have  all  of  this  fair  land,  except  enought  to  bury 
you  in  and  we  will  soon  have  that  for  a garden  spot.  As  we 
were  moving  we  crossed  the  river  valley  about  Dayton  and  Rich- 
mond the  wheat  was  being  cut,  and  the  trees  was  loaded  with 
ripe  cherries  and  made  one  of  the  loveliest  land  scapes  ever  seen. 
Some  of  my  readers  may  think  it  a mistake  about  cutting  the 
best  quality  of  wheat  in  August,  but  when  father  got  home  on 
the  6th  of  August  his  wheat  was  so  geen  that  he  would  not  have 
it  cut. 

We  will  go  back  to  to  beautiful  fruit  which  we  will  have  to 
leave  and  go  to  a wilderness,  when  would  we  see  cherries  again, 
what  will  we  find  in  our  new  home  to  make  up  for  the  loss  of 
fruit;  I suppose  that  was  what  dear  mother  was  thinking  about 
and  what  did  we  find.  (Father  had  been  in  good  circumstances 
and  went  securety  for  those  he  thought  his  friends  and  had  it  to 


2 20 


JAY  COUNTY. 


■^1 


pay.)  What  did  we  get;  a farm  in  the  wilderness  which,  after 
many  years  of  hard  labor,  has  made  a good  home.  What  did  we 
get  at  once;  we  got  a fish  sein  long  enough  to  reach  across 
the  river.  There  was  J.  Paxon,  E.  Davis,  E.  Irey,  all ’together. 
There  were  nine  shares.  A few  days  after  we  all  got  home  we 
all  went  to  the  river,  some  two  miles,  in  the  forenoon.  It  rained 
and  seemed  very  cold  to  us,  and  we  did  not  get  many  fish.  We 
got  dinner  at  George  Porter’s.  It  cleared  off  and  we  went  back 
and  got  all  the  fish  we  needed  and  got  back  in  good  time.  They 
were  about  as  large  as  a man’s  wrist.  There  was  but  little  brush 
in  the  river  then.  Then  there  was  deer.  Hunting  was  my  favor- 
ite sport.  Now  my  sons  will  go  hundreds  of  miles  to  see  the 
deer.  I used  to  stand  at  the  window  and  see  a dozen  of  them  go 
by,  and  sometimes  shoot  them  from  the  window.  They  came  in 
our  garden  many  a time  and  eat  cabbage.  Under  these  circum- 
stances, I had  the  luck  to  kill  the  last  wild  deer  that  I know  of 
around  here,  on  one  of  my  farms.  I borrowed  the  gun  from 
Sarah  Miller,  or  Sally  as  she  is  most  always  called.  I remember 
of  one  of  my  wife’s  sisters  holding  a candle  every  night  in  the 
week  except  Sunday,  for  me  to  dress  deer.  My  father  and  two 
brothers  could  do  the  work  on  the  farm  and  I was  chore  boy.  I 
had  to  kill  squirrels  from  the  time  corn  was  in  roasting  ears,  till 
in  the  crib.  I could  make  more  with  my  gun  in  good  hunting 
time  than  J could  at  work.  I have  followed  as  many  as  twenty- 
seven  deer  in  one  gang,  but  could  not  see  them  all  at  once. 
They  mostly  run,  a doe  and  two  fawns  together  until  some  of 
them  get  killed.  In  the  winter  a buck  or  two  would  get  with 
them,  and  after  ptfrt  of  them  were  killed  two  or  more  gangs 
would  get  together.  When  a man  has  hunted  as  long  as  I did  it 
is  hard  for  him  to  give  it  up,  or  even  quit  telling  about  it  untill 
all  get  tired  listening.  There  is  something  so  fascinating  about 
hunting  that  it  overbalences . the  hardships  of  a hunter’s  life, 
which  was  made  up,  to  a great  extent,  of  need.  After  I was 
married,  I used  to  keep  my  father’s  family  and  my  own  in  the 
hunting  season.  I had  barrels  of  it  salted  and  the  rounds  dried. 
Turkeys  were  very  plentiful;  I have  shot  as  high  as  five  out  of  a 
flock  after  the}*  had  gone  to  roost.  After  referring  to  some  of 
the  pleasures  of  a hunter’s  life  I will  refer  to  some  of  my  asso- 
ciates in  backwoods  life. 

In  the  forepart  of  Augnst.  1837,  I got  to  Jay  County, 
(where  I now  live).  Cametvith  my  father  and  mother,  Thomas, 
and  Elizabeth  Edmundson,  and  brothers  William  and  Thomas, 
and  Mariali  and  Anna,  sisters.  We  stopped  at  Samuel  Grisel’s 
just  east  of  where  Camden  is  now.  He  had  been  here  for  a few 


JAY  COUNTY. 


221 


years  and  had  madei  considerable  money  by  keeping  a list  of  un- 
sold land  and  showing  it  to  woud-be  purchasers.  He  had  se- 
lected the  choice  land  of  Jay  County,  counting  soil  and  the  oil  it 
has  produced.  Then  we  went  to  our  lonely  cabin,  half  puncheon 
and  half  dirt  floor.  It  was  the  last  cabin  from  the  Salamonia 
settlement  till  we  got  to  the  Bluffton  settlement,  fifteen  miles.  I 
soon  went  to  where  Camden  is.  William  Samuels  and  John 
Jones  were  Commencing  to  build  log  houses.  Joseph  Paxson 
and  Eli  Davis  started  improvements  three-fourths  of  a mile 
south;  Stephen  Kruse  and  Ely  Irey  a little  west  of  John  Allen’s; 
going  between  them  Moses  Allen  settled  two  miles  nothwest.  A 
little  latter  the  Allen  house  was  raised.  I went  with  sacks  near 
where  it  was  raised  and  picked  up  two  bushels  of  shell  bark 
hickory  nuts  and  left  the  ground  covered  with  nuts  under  the 
trees.  Samuel  Grissel’s  son,  Amos,  was  at  the  raising  on  horse- 
back, and  he  carried  them  home  for  me.  All  of  our  folks  and 
neighbors'  were  at  the  raising.  I have  known  Grissels  to  go  nine 
miles  to  help  raise  a house.  We  had  to  go  a long  way  to  get 
enough  to  handle  the  logs. 

There  was  the  two  families  of  Johnathan  Hyitts  just  north 
of  Camden;  just  a little  east  of  them  was  Joshiah  Bond,  who 
built  a grist  mill  and  threashing  machine  under  the  same  roof,, 
and  the  house  was  built  on  back.  Some  of  them  were  trees  with 
the  stumps  just  the  right  height  for  the  second  story.  When  we 
went  with  grain  we  had  to  furnish  teams,  and  two  or  more  would 
go  together.  I have  spent  many  a weary  hour  waiting  my  turn, 
and  then  when  it  came,  it  was  very  hard  and  particular.  Once 
when  I was  driving  in  with  another  man  that  furnished  a part  of 
the  team,  Bond  complained  very  much  for  us  not  driving  fast 
enough.  In  a little  bit  he  run  out  of  the  mill  scared  so  that  he 
could  hardly  go  back  in  the  mill  for  fear  the  burr  would  jump 
out  and  run  over  him.  It  was  dangerous,  but  boys  often  do  more 
reckless  things  than  driving  too  fast.  See  what  a change  in 
milling  here  since  that. 

Now  as  to  the  way  we  had  to  live  in  our  little  settlements. 
There  was  not  enough  grain  raised  to  bread  us  and  we  had  to  go 
south  to  get  flour  and  meal. 

Soon  after  our  arrival  my  father  went  to  Richmond  to  get 
supplies,  in  which  several  families  were  interested.  There  was 
not  enough  flour  and  meal  to  last  until  they  got  back,  and  it  was 
borrow  and  lend  until  it  was  all  gone;  then  we  all  lived  on  pota- 
toes, and  then  some  others  would  go  to  mill.  Sometimes  we 
could  get  milling  done  at  Ridgeville,  but  grain  was  not  always 
to  be  had  there.  It  is  said  that  “roses  have  thorns,  and  trials  are 


222 


JAY  COUNTY. 


often  softened  by  kindness,”  but  the  freedom, with  which  the 
lending  was  done  and  the  kindly  intercourse  it  caused  more  than 
balanced  the  privation  we  endured. 

We  all  went  together  to  log  rollings  and  house  raisings  as 
one  common  class,  there  being  no  aristrocracy.  Adelina  Lup- 
ton  was  as  poor  as  the  rest  of  us,  he  being  the  village  blacksmith 
of  good  repute.  Many  a weary  day  have  1 spent  in  his  shop.  I 
will  relate  a little  incident:  I was  doing  some  work  in  the  shop 

and  one  of  Del’s  younger  brothers  got  very  much  out  of  fix  with 
Del  and  1 and  we  shut  him  out  of  the  shop.  He  stormed  the 
shop  for  a long  time,  bue  finally  got  in  a good  humor  and  the 
Luptons  and  Edmundsons  have  since  always  been  good  friends. 

You  ask  how  we  lived.  Mostly  on  com  breads  butter,  milk, 
pork  and  wild  meats,  and  we  parched  corn  for  coffee,  as  a rule. 
I think  we  use  as  much  sugar  now  in  a week  as  was  used  in  a 
year  in  olden  times,  except  when  maple  sugar  was  made,  then 
it  was  used  more  freely.  What  we  had  to  buy  was  high,  and 
what  we  sold  was  low,  because  of  the  cost  of  getting  it  to  market. 
My  brother  went  to  Piqua,  Ohio,  and  got  salt,  and  I think  he 
sold  it  at  $io  per  pound.  Eggs  were  sold  at  3 cents  per  dozen; 
calico  cost  18  cents  per  yard,  and  eight  yards  made  a full  dress. 
The  waist  was  made  plain  to  fit  the  lady  neat,  and  also  the  sleeves; 
the  skirts  were  gathered  full  and  showed  a woman  off  to  a better 
advantage  than  of  the  new  styles.  But  look  at  their  bonnets;  a 
piece  of  paste  board  about  a foot  square,  but  in  a half  circle,  and 
■calico  or  silk  fitted  over  it,  so  that  one  end  would  fit  on  the  head 
and  the  other  was  open  so  that  they  could  see  straight  ahead,  but 
not  to  the  right  or  left,  and  a frill  sewed  to  the  lower  edge  to  reach 
the  shoulders.  I belong  to  the  Quakers  and  we  are  very  much 
opposed  to  following  the  fashions  of  the  world.  Once  when  at- 
tending a meeting  at  Richmond  there  were  over  one  thousand 
women  with  bonnets  on  similar  to  these,  with  the  lower  corners 
rounded  and  not  quite  so  much  frill.  I never  saw  a class  of  peo- 
ple more  afraid  that  their  children  would  not  dress  in  their 
fashion,  and  my  readers  can  magne  how  those  good  old  friends 
felt  when  their  daughter  came  out  with  a beautiful  new  hat.  It 
is  nicer  than  the  old  sunbonnet,  if  it  is  so  bad.  Before  sewing 
machines  and  knitting  mills  were  manufactured  there  was  not 
so  much  work  on  a lady’s  clothing. 

Go  back  to  the  foreingers : go  in  their  cabins  at  night : we  see 
a log  fire ; it  is  cold : the  ladies  are  knitting,  if  the  supper  dishes  are 
put  away.  Maybe  one  is  sewing  a patch  on  brother’s  trousers, 
and  another  smaller  girl  feeding  the  fire  with  wood  or  shellbark 


JAY  COUNTY 


223 


to  make  the  room  lip-lit  enough  to  see.  Then  there  was  a slight 
improvement  for  light;  a small  tin  or  iron  dish,  with  a wick  that 
reached  across  the  bottom  and  up  at  one  end,  and  lard  in  the  dish 
to  make  it  burn.  Then  those  that  could  afford  to  kill  beef  would 
make  dip  candles,  and  those  that  could  raise  the  candle  moulds 
had  moulded  candles,  and  that  was  the  best  light  obtainable. 

The  Fitzpatricks  were  among  the  early  settlers  and  kept  a 
grocery  and  raised  a family  of  bright  children.  One  of  them. 
Grant,  went  to  Randolph  County,  another  to  Wells  County  and 
practiced  medicine  and  conducted  a store,  and  recently  he  and 
his  sons  moved  to  Dunkirk,  Ind.  One  of  the  girls  married  Gar- 
ner Martin.  They  went  into  the  mercantile  business  and  her 
husband  died  many  years  ago  and  left  her  with  some  money  and 
a family  of  girls.  She  knew  well  how  to  take  care  of  the  money 
and  the  girls.  Some  learned  to  take  care  of  themselves,  and  I 
will  say  for  the  benefit  of  that  family,  that  I have  been  traveling 
as  a salesman  more  or  less  for  fifty  years  over  this  and  adjoining 
counties,  and  often  meet  the  descendents  of  the  old  Fitzpatricks,, 
and  am  always  met  with  a pleasant  greeting. 

Being  asked  by  my  friend,  Mrs.  Lynch,  of  Decatur,  as  an 
old  settler  of  Jay  County,  requesting  an  account  of  my  ancestors 
and  where  and  how  I lived,  the  pleasures  of  such  a life  and  its 
sociability  and  the  hardships,  where  I went  to  school  and  the 
many  frolics  we  had  helping  our  neighbors  roll  logs  and  catch 
his  snipes,  the  deer  or  bear  hunts,  and  in  fact  anything  to  make  a 
good  spicy  story.  1 

My  ancestors  trace  back  to  William  Edmundson,  who  died 
June,  1712.  I was  born  April  17th,  1825,  son  of  Thomas  and  Eli- 
zabeth Edmtftidson,  his  wife,  in  Frederick  County,  Maryland. 
There  were  many  negroes  around  there  and  were  very  fond 
of  sport.  The  white  farmers  would  take  advantage  of  heat  to 
get  his  corn  husked.  They  would  top  the  corn  and  blade  it,  then 
they  would  lean  rails  against  a ridge  pole  and  nail  lathe  on  them 
and  cover  it  very  thick  with  the  tops  of  the  corn ; then  they  would 
snap  the  corn  and  haul  it  in  the  fodder  house,  as  it  was  then  called. 
They  would  send  word  to  the  negroes  and  whites  as  far  around 
as  they  thought  necessary  to  get  help  enough  to  husk  all  the  crop 
by  common  bed  time.  There  would  be  two  captains  choosen  and 
they  would  choose  all  the  ladies  and  gentlemen  that  were  able  to 
husk,  then  they  would  put  a rail  on  the  middle  of  the  pile,  then  the 
captains  took  two  ladies  up  for  choice  of  ends;  then  the  fun  began, 
for  each  red  ear  husked  by  a gent  he  was  entitled  to  the  girl  of  his 
choice.  The  ladies  of  the  house  always  had  a good  supper,  and 


224 


JAY  COUNTY. 


best  they  could  get.  The  supper  cost  nearly  as  much  as  to  have 
hired  help  to  do  the  husking,  but  where  would  we  go  to  see  such 
sport  and  merry  making  as  we  had  after  supper,  and  the  next 
night  we  would  go  to  some  other  farm,  and  so  on  until  all  the 
com  was  husked. 

I went  to  school  in  iuaryland.  It  was  Xmas  time  and  the 
weather  was  as  pleasant  as  May,  and  the  scholars  wanted  a holi- 
day, and  the  teacher  would  not  grant  it,  so  we  locked  the  door  on 
the  teacher  and  threw  the  key  in  the  school  house  and  would  not 
let  him  in  to  get  it  until  it  was  time  to  dismiss  school  in  the  even- 
ing. What  a jolly  good  time  we  did  have  roaming  about  the 
beautiful  grove.  The  next  spring  we  moved  to  Clinton  County 
Ohio,  and  I went  to  school  there  that  summer,  and  everything 
was  as  pleasant  as  could  be.  The  next  spring  we  were  in  Clark 
County,  and  the  schools  we  had  there  is  enough  to  make  a man's 
blood  boil  to  think  of  mem.  It  was  a common  occurrence  to 
see  a scholar  with  hands  or  wrists  tied  together  with  a handker- 
chief and  hung  over  one  of  the  pins  in  the  wall  they  used  to  hang 
clothes  on.  We  seemed  to  think  we  were  slighted  if  were  not 
whipped  each  day.  It  was  apparently  distributed  impartially  to 
all,  each  received  so  much  with  regard  to  good  or  bad  conduct. 
There  were  other  punishments  that  would  not  kill,  yet  were  very 
unpleasant  to  the  scholars.  One  of  the  scholars  took  a pistol  to 
school  to  shoot  the  teacher,  and  he  made  a very  narrow  escape, 
and  I think  all  the  children  were  sorry  that  he  did  escape.  I 
think  if  the  children  had  told  their  parents  how  they  had  been 
treated  the  teacher  would  have  been  discharged. 

The  next  spring,  1836,  I went  to  a district  two  miles  east  of 
there,  but  they  did  not  have  summer  school.  I moved  here  in 
1837,  and  what  chance  I had  I went  to  a low  grade  school  in  a 
log  house  about  one  mile  east  of  Camden.  Afterward  Benjamin 
Denis  built  a good  frame  school  house  where  the  grave  yard  is 
now.  I went  there  a short  time.  The  punishment  there  was 
dismissal  if  we  did  not  obey  the  rules.  We  had  very  good  order 
and  few  dismissals  and  the  teacher  did  not  study  most  of  the  time 
how  to  get  even  with  the  tyrants  who  abused  them.  I did  not 
go  to  school  after  I was  seventeen  years  old.  I got  raost  of  my 
education  in  the  woods  with  a gun,  as  most  of  my  chums  did. 
George  Porter  is,  I think,  the  only  man  living  here,  when  we 
moved  here.  He  now  lives  at  Montpelier.  We  used  to  go  fish- 
ing and  we  could  get  all  the  fish  we  could  use  in  three  hours’ 
seining. 

My  sister  Ester,  who  married  Stanton  Scott,  in  1836,  moved 
here  soon  after  we  did.  She  has  been  a widow  for  near  forty 


JAY  COUNTY. 


225 


years.  She  is  now  eighty-six  years  old.  She  lives  about  six 
miles  from  here.  The  rest  of  my  sisters  and  brothers  have  gone 
to  their  last  resting  place.  • I will  now  tell  you  of  some  of  my 
hunting  exploits.  When  I was  about  thirteen  years  of  age  I 
could  handle  a gun  as  well  as  any  man.  The  second  deer  I shot 
I put  a ball  through  its  heart. 

Joshua  and  Cyrus  Paxson,  Newton  Miller  and  myself  went 
one  day  in  the  woods  to  hunt.  We  had  not  gone  far,  however, 
until  I noticed  a deer  trail  some  seventy  yards  beyond.  There 
was  a high  bank  of  dirt  and  roots,  caused  by  a fallen  tree,  and  I 
told  the  boys  I would  stop  there  and  wait  for  a deer.  They  had 
gone  about  three  hundren  yards  when  they  heard  the  crack  of 
my  rifle  and  came  running  back  with  the  dogs  to  see  what  I had 
killed.  I told  them  I had  shot  a buck  with  a nice  head  of  horns 
and  that  I had  got  the  ball  about  two  inches  above  the  heart  and 
that  the  dogs  would  have  a good  run  and  a fight  if  they  caught 
it.  The  boys  thought  it  strange  I could  tell  just  where  the  ball 
hit,  but  I could  see  just  as  well  where  the  sight  ranged  as  I can 
see  these  letters  I am  making.  I had  been  doing  scarcely  any- 
thing but  shooting  hundreds  of  squirrels  for  weeks  to  save  the 
core.  We  started  the  dogs  on  the  bloody  trail  and  we  ran  as  fast 
as  we  could  for  about  three-quarters  of  a mile.  We  all  came  up 
at  once.  It  was  one  of  the  most  desperate  fights  for  life  I ever 
witnessed.  The  dogs  did  not  understand  their  business  very 
well,  although  they  were  good  dogs.  I think  the  deer  would 
have  killed  them,  but  they  were  desperately  in  earnest  and  the 
deer’s  horns  and  the  dogs  would  come  together  with  a crash ; the 
dogs  would  get  a hold  of  the  deer’s  nose  and  the  deer  would 
spring  forward  and  land  about  thirty  or  forty  feet  with  his  head 
in  a different  direction,  only  to  make  the  next  spring  to  bring 
deer  and  dogs  together.  You  ask  why  we  didn’t  shoot.  We 
were  afraid  of  killing  the  dogs,  and  the  deer  came  towards  us  so 
often  that  a man  was  very  near  lost  that  wanted  to  handle  a stout 
mad  deer.  We  watched  the  fight  for  some  time,  changing  our 
positions  so  as  to  keep  out  of  their  way,  not  doubting  that  four 
men  and  three  guns  and  two  dogs  would  finally  conquer  the 
wounded  deer.  Paxson  shot  once  and  just  missed  the  dogs.  I 
was  afraid  to  shoot  for  fear  I should  not  do  so  well.  The  deer 
got  clear  of  Ifie  dogs  for  a short  time  and  it  started  for  Miller.  It 
got  within  twenty  feet  of  him  and  he  shot,  but  the  bullet  did  not 
go  toward  the  deer,  and  if  you  had  seen  him  run  you  would  have 
thought  him  mad.  I never  saw  a nicer  race  on  one  I enjoyed 
more.  I was  sure  the  dogs  would  not  let  it  strike  him.  I then 


226 


JAY  COUNTY. 


had  seen  as  hard  and  long  a fight  as  I cared  to,  and  begged  Pax- 
son  to  shoot  it,  and  he  did,  and  thus  ended  its  struggle  for  life. 
After  I cleaned  the  legs  and  head  off  it  weighed  128  pounds. 
Some  years  later  I,  at  the  place  where  Jacob  Miller  now  lives, 
came  to  an  open  place  where  I thought  would  be  a good  place 
to  shoot  deer.  Just  then  one  jumped  up  close  by  me  and  ran 
about  seventy  yards  off  and  turned  its  head  to  see  me.  I aimed 
to  shoot  between  the  eyes.  It  fell  and  layed  still.  I run  to  it 
without  loading  my  gun.  I had  a very  good  pocket  knife;  I 
tried  to  cut  its  throat.  The  skin  was  about  a half  inch  thick  on 
the  throat  and  its  horns  would  not  begin  to  go  in  a bushel  basket. 
I was  not  doing  much  good  with  the  knife,  and  the  deer  began  to 
wink  pretty  lively  and  I began  to  think  it  a good  thing  to  get 
away  from  there.  I went  away  about  a rod.  I had  a young  dog 
with  me  that  weighed  seventy-five  pounds;  he  had  never  fought 
with  a deer  before.  He  stood  by  me  while  I loaded  my  gun,  and 
by  that  time  the  deer  was  making  a great  effort  to  get  up.  I put 
another  bullet  through  its  head,  and  it  sprang  at  me,  just  missing 
me.  The  dog  shut  its  mouth  on  its  ham  string  and  it  seemed  to 
forgoe  me  in  its  struggle  with  the  dog.  It  went  leap  after  leap 
with  the  dog’s  hold  unbroken  until  it  came  to  the  top  of  a bur  oak 
tree,  and  it  went  over  the  highest  part  of  the  tree,  but  the  dog 
dropped  off.  I supposed  he  would  not  be  unable  to  catch  it  again, 
but  he  soon  regained  his  hold  and  away  they  went  with  the  dog 
swinging  high  in  the  air,  and  twenty  or  thirty  feet  at  a leap,  cir- 
cling in  gun  sot  distance.  When  about  seventy  yards  off.  as  I 
got  the  gun  loaded,  it  failed  to  raise  the  dog  from  the  ground, 
and  his  legs  ceased  pulling  back,  every  limb  was  trembling  with 
the  great  exertion,  I shot  it  through  the  neck.  It  fell  over  and 
I went  to  it  and  tried  to  stick  it  with  my  knife,  but  it  would  not 
be  still  long  enough,  so  I pounded  it  on  the  head  with  a club  and 
then  shot  it  again.  It  then  had  four  bullets  in  its  head  and  one 
in  its  neck.  It  was  dead.  When  animals  are  greatly  enraged 
they  will  live  a long  time  with  wounds  that  would  kill  them  inn 
tantly  if  sustained  when  perfectly  cool.  When  the  deer  was  fully 
dressed  it  weighed  140  pounds. 

I killed  and  dressed  another  there  and  took  the  hide  and  cut 
them  to  fit  and  made  me  a pair  of  pants,  which  I wore  for  several 
years.  They  were  nice  in  dry  weather,  but  not  so  in  wet  weather. 
Talk  about  grit;  there  were  three  deers  came  in  open  space  in 
front  of  me.  I shot  at  the  largest  one,  with  a nice  set  of  horns; 
they  all  ran  about  one  hundred  yards  and  stopped  there.  I began 
loading  my  gun  and  they  watched  me.  The  one  I shot  at  turned 


JAY  COUNTY. 


227 


his  head  forward  and  started  after  me.  I could  not  get  the  cap 
in  quite  soon  enough  to  shoot,  so  I grabbed  the  gun  as  a club 
with  the  intention  of  jumping  to  one  side  and  striking  it  as  it 
passed.  It  got  within  ten  feet  of  me  and  made  a great  effort  to 
jump  against  me.  It  fell  dead  in  the  effort.  I was  in  prarie 
grass  and  about  forty  yards  from  me  there  was  a big  buck.  He 
put  his  head  down  in  the  grass  just  as  I saw  it.  I couldn’t  see 
anything  but  its  back,  but  I shot  and  it  fell  and  I went  to  bleeding 
directly.  It  got  up  and  looked  at  me  and  turned  toward  me,  and 
it  was  my  turn  to  fall,  and  I loaded  my  gun  and  got  up  and  lo! 
the  deer  was  gone.  My  dear  readers,  if  you  think  you  would  like 
to  see  a wounded  buck  in  an  open  prarie,  with  an  empty  gun, 
you  certainly  have  not  seen  as  many  as  I have.  The  last  one  we 
had  I killed  while  out  shooting  blackbirds  in  the  cornfield. 
There  was  a cornfield  in  full  bloom  just  east  of  our  house.  I saw 
a deer  and  a fawn  cross  the  field  and  I started  after  them  and 
Herman  Sullivan  followed  me.  We  followed  it  into  the  woods 
and  I shot  it  dead.  I left  Herman  there  and  I went  back  to  find 
the  fawn.  I knew  it  would  be  near  where  the  mother  left  it,  and 
sure  enough  there  it  was  in  a fence  corner,  behind  a stump.  I 
wanted  to  get  it  alive  if  possible.  I fixed  my  gun  so  as  to  shoot 
low  and  quick,  and  I crawled  flat  in  the  clover,  and  as  I got  close 
it  made  a spring  to  go  through  the  fence,  but  it  could  not  get 
through  quick  enough  to  keep  me  from  grabbing  it  by  the  hind 
legs.  I held  it  in  the  fence  until  Herman  came  and  got  it  bv  the 
forelegs.  I took  it  home  and  it  was  tame  at  once  as  a pet  lamb. 
There  was  no  other  animal  on  the  farm  that  made  as  many  friends 
as  it  did.  It  would  come  in  the  house  and  try  to  go  up  a common 
ladder.  It  would  go  to  the  field  with  my  wife  to  get  green  beans 
and  would  not  offer  to  eat  any,  but  when  laid  on  the  table  would 
eat  them  with  a relish.  I carried  her  when  she  was  small.  She 
always  loved  company.  I had  a bell  on  her  and  a red  ribbon 
around  her  neck.  I had  her  trained  to  track  wild  deer  for  me, 
and  she  could  traiLbetter  than  a dog.  . She  would  go  to  the  woods 
with  me  and  stay  right  by  me  until  I saw  signs  of  deer  and  I 
would  show  her  the  trail  and  tell  her  to  follow  it  fast  or  slow,  and 
I would  follow.  When  she  came  up  with  them  she  would  stay 
with  them  until  I shot  one  and  then  go  home  with  me  . I could 
hear  the  bell  for  half  a mile,  and  thus  it  enabled  me  to  be  ready 
to  shoot.  When  there  was  snow  on  the  ground  they  could  not 
escape.  One  day  I started  her  after  two  not  far  from  the  house. 
She  run  about  a half  mile  and  came  up  with  them.  I heard 
some  one  fire  a gun  and  they  started  back  toward  me.  I was 


228 


JAY  COUNTY. 


standing  by  a log  about  four  feet  from  them.  The  deer  came  on 
the  other  side  of  the  log  rather  too  far  back  to  suit  the  pet,  and 
the  other  stopped  opposite  me,  sixty  yards  off.  The  pet  was  just 
a little  in  advance  and  I watched  a minute  and  then  decided  to 
break  the  wild  one’s  neck.  When  the  smoke  cleared  away  there 
stood  a deer  without  any  head.  I thought  at  first  I had  killed  the 
pet.  In  the  confusion  they  had  changed  places.  But  as  luck 
would  have  it,  she  was  safe.  One  cold  morning,  about  the  cold- 
est I ever  saw,  I was  looking  out  of  the  window  and  saw  the  pet 
coming  with  another  deer.  I got  my  gun  and  shot  at  it,  but  did 
not  kill  it.  There  was  snow  on  the  ground  and  I followed  them 
about  a fourth  of  a mile  and  shot  again.  All  I could  see  was  the 
ears  of  a deer.  The  woods  was  so  thick  I could  not  see  its  body. 
I was  back  of  a large  tree  waiting  to  see  the  ears  more.  It  shook 
its  head  and  no  bell  tingled,  so  I knew  it  was  not  the  pet,  so  I shot 
again,  aiming  to  hit  it  in  the  neck.  The  deer  never  stirred,  that 
I could  see.  I tried  to  load  my  gun  but  my  fingers  were  almost 
frozen;  I had  to  put  them  under  my  clothes  to  get  them  warm 
enough  to  load  my  gun.  All  this  time  the  deer  stood  as  still  as 
death,  as  much  as  I could  tell  by  the  moving  of  its  ears.  I shot 
four  tomes,  each  time  a little  lower.  When  I got  to  where  the 
deer  was  it  sprang  high  up  in  the  air  and  fell  dead  several  yards 
away.  Just  then  pet  came  running  up  ready  to  go  home  with 
me.  I could  tell  you  of  a great  many  more  adventures,  but  for 
fear  of  tiring  the  reader.  We  had  to  kill  the  pet,  finally,  we  did 
not  like  its  ways.  Some  pet  deers  are  good  natured  and  some 
are  bad.  I have  seen  some  in  the  “Park”  at  Chicago  chew  to- 
bacco. Fanny,  as  we  called  our  pet,  made  friends  with  every- 
body. 

The  early  settlers  of  this  country  used  to  dress  very  queer. 
As  I would  be  going  to  Fort  Wayne  I have  seen  men  and  women 
dressed  in  calico  or  any  other  kind  of  goods,  rapped  around 
them,  commencing  just  above  the  feet.  The  goods  was  about 
twenty  inches  wide,  and  did  not  take  so  long^as  if  it  was  narrower. 
They  rapped  themselves  to  the  arms  and  then  threw  a blanket 
over  their  shoulder.  All  this  was  fastened  with  just  a few  pins. 
Now  my  dear  lady  friend  is  there  one  of  you  with  the  sewing 
machine  that  can  take  a bolt  of  goods  and  dress  yourself  as  quick 
as  these  people  did  and  enjoy  yourselves  as  much?  Now  this  is 
no  fancy  sketch;  it  is  the  way  we  saw  them.  These  ancient  set- 
tlers loved  finery  and  brick  houses.  We  all  like  to  see  things 
new  to  us,  especially  if  we  think  them  pretty.  I was  passing  a 
good  brick  house  southeast  of  Fort  Wayne  that  was  occupied  by 


JAY  COUNTY. 


229 


Indians.  I wanted  to  go  inside  and  see  how  they  were  fixed,  but 
how  to  get  there  I didn’t  know.  I had  just  passed  the  house, 
however,  when  of  the  most  beautiful  ladies  I ever  saw  came  out 
and  asked  me  to  come  in.  Of  course  I did  not  make  many  ex- 
cuses; I was  too  glad  for  the  invitation.  One  of  the  first  things 
I noticed  was  one  of  the  most  beautiful  store  carpets  I had  ever 
seen,  and  everything  else  seemed  to  correspond,  except  the  over- 
seerer;  she  was  a dark  Indian.  The  lady  that  invited  me  in  was 
part  French  and  about  sixteen  years  old.  She  could  talk  good, 
but  the  other  could  not,  so  our  conversation  had  to  be  interpreted, 
but  I was  in  no  hurry  to  go.  I would  just  as  soon  stayed  all 
night,  but  they  saw  brooms  in  the  wagon  and  they  gave  me  some 
money  and  I went  on.  In  referring  to  early  settlers  brings  to 
mind  a tract  of  a short  distance  northwest  of  Winchester.  It  is 
a beautiful  place;  there  is  an  enbankment  about  six  feet  high 
surrounding  about  forty  acres,  with  a mound  in  the  middle  for  a 
signal  station,  or  in  time  of  war  it  seems  as  though  it  was  far 
enough  from  the  outer  wall  to  prevent  arrows  from  reaching  the 
center  station.  It  seems  that  men  lived  on  this  land,  fought  for 
possession  long  before  the  whites  drove  the  Indians  out,  and  it 
seems  as  though  no  one  ever  published  a book,  as  Mrs.  Lynch 
did,  to  hand  down  to  our  descendents,  telling  them  of  our  hard- 
ships and  pleasures  of  a backwoods  life.  One  of  the  greatest 
pleasures  was,  we  were  of  honorable  families,  moved  in  the  same 
society  and  enjoyed  ourselves  a great  deal  more  than  the  many 
classes  of  people  do  in  these  days.  Even7  house  seemed  open  to 
all  who  cared  to  come,  to  borrowers  or  pleasure  seekers.  Truly 
it  is  said  all  roses  have  thorns.  Yours  truly, 

JOHN  EDMUNDSON, 

Balbeck,  Ind. 


230 


WINCHESTER,  RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


Goodrich  Bros. 

General  Hardware 

C.  W.  WOOLVERTON, 

Tb?  ■ Old  ■ Pioneer  - Sho?  ■ Dealer 

OF  WINCHESTER , 

Still  leads  the  trade  in  Fine  Boots  and  Shoes  and  at  priees 
that  defy  competition. 

I am  still  agent  for  the  Lambertville  Snag  Proof  Rubber  Boot, 
gg  None  genuine  unless  marked  E.  Stout’s  Patent. 

call  and  see  me. 

Southwest  Cor.  ot  Public  Square,  WINCHESTER,  IND. 

C.  W.  WOOLVERTON. 


WINCHESTER,  RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


231 


L.  L.  CAMPBELL, 


Dry  Goods,  Notions  and  Ladies'  Furnishings 

DRESS  GOODS  A SPECIALTY. 

PYTHIAN  BLOCK,  WINCHESTER,  IND. 


ED.  J.  HIATT, 


CALL  IN  AND  SEE, 

D.  FUDGE, 

The  Furniture  Dealer, 


Masonic  Block, 


Winchester,  Ind, 


J.  W.  JACKSON. 


C.  W.  DAVIS. 


JACKSON  & DAVI 


DEALERS  IN 


Fine  Carriages,  Surreys,  Harness  and  Whips, 

Farming  Implements,  Heavy  Machinery, 
Binders  and  Mowers. 


232 


WINCHESTER,  RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


Wm.  y^itzman  ’ s 


foundry  and  97/ac/t/ne 


0 0 0 • C OJD0  000 


WINCHESTER,  RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


233 


The  McKinley,  Reed,  Morton,  Allison 

and  others  fight 

Is  all  right,  let  the  best  man  win. 

So  with  SHOES,  let  the  best  Shoe  win. 
You  can  find  them  at 

B.  F.  HILLS. 


CHAS.  GUTHEIL, 

Winchester  Tannery 

AND 

Harness  Manufacturer,  Etc. 


234 


WINCHESTER,  RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


F.  E.  ROHR, 


DEALER  IN- 


FRAMES 

AND 

MOULDINGS. 


WINCHESTER,  RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


235 


T.  A.  HELMS, 

DEALER  IN 

Hardware,  5lou?s  and  TtnWar?, 

AGRICULTURAL  inPLEJTENTS, 

Including  flcCormick  Binders  and  ITowers,  Kraus,  Tiger 
and  Hamilton  Cultivators. 


j.  M.  brown, 

- FOR  - 

Paints  and  Wall  Paper. 


C.  E.  McGEE  & SON, 

ESTABLISHED  1S€>&. 

DEALERS  IN 

HARDWARE, 

Refrigerators,  Stoves,  Guns,  Bicycles,  Ammunition, 
Fishing  Tackle. 

Tin,  Iron  and  Slate  Roofing. 


No.  27  Opera  House  Block. 


236 


WINCHESTBR,  RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


J.  C.  MOSER 


DEALER  IN — 

Staples  Fancy  Groceries 

AND 


BAKERY. 


WINCHESTER,  RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


237 


T.  M.  ASHTON, 

DEALER  IN 


Trunks  . . 
Valises,  Etc. 


South  Side  Public  Square. 


238  WINCHESTER,  RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


fi’s  a Good  jVlafk 


TO  BE  A GOOD  DRESSER. 


[ill  Ms  111 


And  Look  Right,  See 


J.  E.  O' HARR  A. 


WINCHESTER,  RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


239 


L.  R.  HASKELL. 


F.  E.  HASKELL. 


Manufacturers  of 


£ & Handles  for 


SHOVELS, 


SPADES  AND  SCOOPS. 


J.  B.  GOODRICH, 
Hay  and 
Grain.. 


/Vc> 


240 


WINCHESTKR,  RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


WILLIAM  O.  McBETH, 

Dealer  in  Staple  and  Fancy  Groceries,  west  side  of  the  Square. 


DR.  J.  J.  PRETLOW, 

Has  had  seventeen  years  experience  in  practice.  Teeth  ex- 
tracted without  pain. 


ENGE  & EAGLE, 

Insuarance  and  loans.  Randolph  County  Bank. 


REVERDY  PUCKETT, 

Attorney-at-Law.  Civil  and  criminal  practice.  Collecting 
and  settling  estates  a specialty.  Office,  up-stairs  over  Helm’s 
hardware  store. 


H.  DeWITT, 

Jewelry  and  Optician. 


JOHN  R.  WRIGHT, 

Attorney-at-Law,  Pythias  Block. 


W.  W.  REED, 

Druggist  and  Book  Dealer. 


DR.  M.  L.  ZIEPER, 

Physio.  Medical. 


WINCHESTER,  RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


24I 


W.  W.  Canada.  F.  S.  Caldwell. 

CANADA  & CALDWELL, 

Attorneys-at-Law.  All  legal  business  promptly  attended 
to.  Also  make  loans.  Offices,  Canada’s  block. 


I.  W.  COTTOM, 

Insurance,  Loans  and  Real  Estate.  Office  over  Postoffice. 


ANDREW  J.  STAKEBAKE, 

Attorney-at-Law. 

Fire,  Tornado  and  Life  Insurance. 


M.  H.  RUBEY, 

Insurance,  Loans  and  Abstract  office,  Pythian  block. 


DR.  H.  G.  CONKLIN, 
Dentist. 


WATSON  & WATSON, 

Attorneys-at-Law. 


John  J.  Cheney.  J.  W.  Macy.  J.  P.  Goodrich. 

CHENEY,  MACY  & GOODRICH, 

Attorneys-at-Law.  Probate  business  and  collection  a spe- 
cilty.  Offices,  over  Randolph  County  bank. 


THE  WINCHESTER  HERALD. 


242 


WINCHESTER,  RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


THE  FARMERS’  AND  MERCHANTS’  BANK. 

Capital,  $80,000;  surplus,  $11,500.  A.  C.  Beeson,  President; 
Tlios.  Moorman,  Vice-Presidnet,  T.  F.  Moorman,  Cashier.  Di- 
rectors: A.  C.  Beeson,  Thomas  Moorman,  A.  O.  Marsh,  Wm. 

D.  Kizer,  T.  F.  Moorman. 


A.  VOTAW, 

Manufacturer  of  finished  spokes.  All  orders  by  mail  will 
receive  prompt  attention. 


BENJAMIN  HAWTHORNE, 

Proprietor,  Livery,  Sale  and  Feed  Stable.  Ira  D.  Haw- 
thorne, foreman.  Digg’s  old  stand. 


D.  L.  ADAMS, 

Manufacturer  of  and  dealer  in  all  kinds  of  slack  barrel  staves 
and  heading.  Also  dealer  in  butter  tub  staves  and  heading. 
Wants  the  following  timber  delivered  at  his  plant: 

Sizes  of  Timber  wanted:  Hackberry  split  stave  bolts,  bark 

off,  32  inches  long,  6 to  7 inches  thick;  red  oak  split  stave  bolts, 
bark  off,  32  inches  long,  6 to  7 inches  thick;  elm  split  stave  bolts, 
bark  off,  32  inches  long,  6 to  7 inches  thick ; white  ash  split  stave 
bolts,  bark  off,  32  inches  long,  6 to  7 inches  thick  or  quartered; 
lind  heading  bolts,  42  inches  long,  8 to  18  inches  in  diameter, 
bark  off  ;white  and  gray  ash  heading  bolts,  52  inches  long,  8 to  18 
inches  in  diameter,  bark  on;  black  ash  heading  bolts,  52  inches 
long,  8 to  18  inches  in  diameter,  bark  on;  soft  maple  heading 
bolts,  42  inches  long,  8 to  18  inches  in  diameter,  bark  on;  elm 
heading  bolts,  42  inches  long,  8 to  18  inches  in  diameter,  bark  off. 

When  round  heading  bolts  run  over  18  inches  in  diameter 
it  is  best  to  halve  them  on  account  of  hauling  and  handling,  but 
do  not  quarter  them.  All  bolts  must  be  barked,  except  maple 
and  ash  heading  bolts.  All  timber  must  be  sound  and  free  from 
rotten  streaks,  knots  and  worm  holes. 

W.  H.  Hippenheimer.  Henry  Pflasterer. 


W.  H.  HIPPENHEIMER  & CO., 

Manufacturers  of  verandas,  turned  work,  hard-wood  paper 
plugs,  pump  handles,  acrons,  pump  trimmings,  house  finishings 
etc.  )j 


WINCHESTER,  RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


243 


CHARLES  PIFHE’S 

Restaurant. 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY  BANK. 

Capital,  $100,000;  surplus,  $18,000.00.  S.  D.  Coats,  Presi- 
dent; C.  E.  Ferris,  Cashier;  T.  L.  Ward,  Assistant  Cashier. 


MRS.  A.  KELLEY, 

Proprietor  Big  Four  Restaurant. 


THE  RICE  NOVELTY  WORKS, 

A.  Rice,  proprietor;  manufacturer  of  pump  fixtures,  such  as 
are  used  in  trimming  pumps.  All  kinds  of  novelties,  including 
paper  plugs.  All  sizes  hardwood  lumber.  Orders  filled  prompt- 
ly and  work  guaranteed. 


L.  SNATTINGER, 

Merchant  Tailor  and  dealer  in  ready-made  clothing. 


THE  LAWER  IRVEN  HOUSE, 

On  Main  street.  Rates,  $2.00. 

COL.  IRVEN,  Proprietor. 


O.  H.  BARNHILL, 

Funeral  Director  and  Embalmer.  Opposite  now  postoffice 
building. 


JACK  BARNES, 

Blue  Front  Barn,  Main  street. 


THE  WINCHSETER  STEAM  LAUNDRY. 

Always  in  the  lead.  Agents  wanted  in  other  towns ; write  for 
terms.  I.  O.  O.  F.  block. 

D.  F.  HARDMAN,  Proprietor. 


PUCKETT  & SON, 

Bakery  and  confectionery.  Fine  cakes  and  ice  cream  a specialty. 


OLYMPUS  COX  & SON, 

Dealers  in  Staple  and  Fancy  Groceries. 


244 


WINCHESTER,  RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


C.  W.  EASTMAN, 

Drugs  and  Medicines,  Sponges,  Brushes,  Perfumery,  Fancy 
and  Toilet  articles.  Physicians’  prescriptions  carefully  com- 
pounded. 


THE  REPUBLICAN, 

The  best  advertising  medium  in  Randolph  County. 

W.  P.  NEEDHAM,  Editor  and  Proprietor. 


BARTHALAMEW  & RAYSER, 
Manufacturers  of  Boots  and  Shoes,  and  all  kinds  of  repair 
ing  done. 


ESTELLA  RIZER, 

Milliner. 


MISS  L.  MORRISON, 

Retail  Millinery,  southwest  corner  Franklin  and  Meridian  Sts. 


EVISAR  & BATES, 

Milliners. 


CHAPMAN  & MONKS, 
Groceries. 


1843.  The  Pioneer  Paper  of  Randolph  County,  1897 
THE  WINCHESTER  JOURNAL. 

Oldest.  Largest.  Best. 

Fine  Job  Printing.  Largest  Circulation. 

A.  C.  BEESON  & SONS,  Publishers. 


WINCHESTER,  RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


245 


WM.  H.  WOERNER, 

Florist  and  grower  of  choice  Cut  Flowers,  Greenhouse  and 
Bedding  Plants.  Floral  designs  made  to  order.  Greenhouse, 
North  Main  street,  opposite  Huston  house. 


HIATT’S  STUDIO. 

Portraits  and  general  photograph  work.  Fine  work  a specialty. 


R.  J.  SITSCHERT, 

Jeweler  and  Optician. 


CLYDE  HIATT, 

Restaurant  and  Bakery. 


Call  on  LINK  REINHEIMER 

For  Staple  and  Fancy  Groceries. 


G.  B.  HAGGETT, 

Novelties  and  Queensware. 


S.  & M.  E.  McELLISTER, 

Greocers,  on  North  Main  street,  opposite  Huston  House. 


B.  F.  BOLTZ, 

Washing  Machine  Manufacturer. 


Go  to  E.  A.  THOMAS  for  your 
Picture  Frames,  picture  cords,  screw  eyes,  bread  boards, 
steak  boards,  ironing  boards,  camp  stools,  saw  filing  of  all  kinds. 
All  kinds  of  furniture  made  and  repaired.  Chair  seats  and  backs. 
Chairs  caned  and  upholstered,  furniture  castors,  locks,  handles 
and  catchers.  Just  received  the  largest  and  finest  stock  of 
mouldings  ever  in  the  city.  Remember  the  place,  No.  50,  Blue 
Front,  North  Main  street. 


A.  J.  HUNTSINGER. 

Best  brand  of  Cigars  and  tobacco.  Fresh  candies  received 
daily.  Lunch,  soft  Drinks  and  Ice  Cream  always  on  hand.  Se- 
lect fruits,  all  at  lowest  prices.  Butter  and  Eggs  a specialty. 


246 


UNION  CITY,  RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


J.  M.  CLASSENS, 

Dry  Goods,  Notions, 


AND  CLOAKS. 


UNION  CITY,  RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


247 


UNION  CITY  WHEEL  CO., 

Manufacturers  of 
ali  kinds  of 

Fie©  Vehicle  Wheels-. 


WEB.  LAMBERTS 

HARNESS  STORE 

Is  Headquarters  for  all  goods 
in  his  line.  & & 

II  III  Sit  0l  TRUNKS.  WISES.  TELESOPtS  8 SHAWL  SIPS 

The  Bicycle  Department  includes 
the  Standard  Wheels.*^^ 

A complete  line  of  Bicycle  Sundries 
and  Repairs  always  in  stock. 


Prices  suited  to  the  times. 


248 


UNION  CITY,  RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


f 


...Always  Up=to=Date... 

The  Finest  Line  in  the  City. 

Prices  Always  Right. 

BRADY,  THE  CLOTHIER. 

L.  c lambertT 


HARNESS  SHOP, 
Harness,  Whips,  Robes, 


Blankets  and 


Horse  Clothing. 


UNION  CITY,  RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


249 





THE  H KlItMJn  ©. 


@47% -«»»««• 


J.  A.  ROSENBUSH, 

DRUGGIST 

DEALER  IN 

Medicines,  Paints,  Oils, 

CIQARS  TOBACCOS. 

Columbia  Street,  = = UNION  CITY,  IND. 

Postal  Cards  and  Stamps  for  the  Accommodation  of  Customers. 


FLAG  ALWAYS  OAT  TOP. 


250 


UNION  CITY,  RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


C.  W.  Pierce  & Son, 

Dealers  in 

Grain,  Seeds,  Flour,  Salt  and  Agricultural 
Implements. 

Highest  Cash  Price  paid  for  all  Grain  and  Seeds. 

A Full  Line  of  Implements  carried  in  stock. 

OUR  SPECIALTIES:  Solid  Comfort  Sulky  and  Gang  Plows. 
Deering  Ball  and  Valler  Bearing  Binders  and  Mowers. 
Thompson  Riding  Corn  Cultivator. 


C.  K.  Wright.  P.  C.  Worth. 

C.  K.  Wright  & Worth, 


IHMHKO 


Ross  Opera  Block,  Oak  Street. 


Day  and  Night  Calls  receive  prompt  attention. 
Biack  and  White  Cars. 


C.  K.  Wright  & Worth 


UNION  CITY,  RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


251 


Michael  & Hoffman, 


The  Leaders  of  the  Trade  in  the 
Furniture  Line  in  the  City. 


They  have  a full  line  of  all  Staple  and  Fancy  Goods 

such  as 

Bed  Room  Suits,  Cupboards,  Tables,  Chairs, 
Hat  Racks,  Lounges,  Couches,  Side 
Boards,  Book  Cases,  Music  Racks,  Pictures, 
Mouldings  of  all  kinds.  •<*  -j* 

In  fact,  a full  line  of  all  goods  belonging 
to  a first-class  Furniture  Store.  -J* 

Our  goods  are  easily  superior  to  anything 
ever  before  shown  in  this  Section,  and 
ALL  WE  ASK  IS  AN  INSPECTION 
OF  THE  SAME.  **  ,* 

We  will  not  be  undersold.  -<x  -Jt  -m  -jt 

Michael  & Hoffman, 

THE  LEADERS. 


I.  0.  0.  F.  Block,  Oak  Street. 


252 


UNION  CITY,  RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


W.  M.  HIRSCH, 

Dealer  in  Watches,  Clocks  and  Jewelry.  Columbia  street. 

THE  GEM  BARBER  SHOP. 

No.  116  West  Oak  street,  opposite  Times  office. 

RUD.  HUEBER,  Proprietor. 

KERR  & SHOCICNEY, 

Dealers  in  Fancy  Millinery,  Ribbons,  Laces,  Etc. 

WM.  THOKEY, 

The  Leading  Merchant  Tailor  and  Gents’  Furnisher. 
HOTEL  MASON, 

W.  R.  Mason,  Proprietor.  Newly  furnished.  Heated  by 
natural  gas.  Two  squares  from  depot,  corner  Oak  and  Howard 
streets. 


NO  MATTER  WHERE  YOU  LIVE! 

No  matter  what  road  you  live  on;  no  matter  how  far  you  are 
from  Union  City,  if  you  live  in  Randolph  County,  you  can’t 
afford  to  miss  seeing  us  before  buying  a 


BICYCLE  or  BICYCLE  SUNDRIES 
or  having  yaur  wheel  repaired.  Our  prices  are  the  very  lowest. 

ENSIGN  & MACY,  104  Oak  street. 


HOLZFASTER  BROS., 

Dealers  in  Harness  and  Saddles,  Blankets,  Trunks,  Valises, 
Oils,  &c.  All  kinds  of  horse  furnishing  goods.  70  North 
Colmbia  street. 


L.  D.  LAMBERT, 

Attorney,  notary  public,  United  States  claim  and  real  estate 
agent.  All  kinds  of  legal  instruments  carfefully  prepared. 


THE  NEWS  PRINTING  CO. 


UNION  CITY,  RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


253 


E.  L.  WELLBOURN,  M.  D., 
Manufacturing  chemist.  No.  74  Oak  street. 


THE  UNION  CITY  DAILY  AND  WEEKLY  TIMES. 
Republican  in  Politics. 

Prints  all  the  news.  Has  the  circulation. 

GEO.  N.  PATCHELL. 


For  bargains  in  everything  go  to 

* * * * McKENZIE’S,  * * * * 

Oak  Street  Novelty  Store. 


TURPEN  BROS. 

Are  the  leaders  in  Staple  and  Fancy  Groceries,  opposite  P.  O. 


R.  B.  McKEE, 

Livery  and  feed  stable.  First-class  rigs;  gentle  horses  for 
funerals.  East  Oak  street. 


BRANHAM  RESTAURANT  and  EUROPEAN  HOTEL. 
Open  day  and  night.  Cigar  store  in  connection 

A.  L.  BRANHAM,  Proprietor. 


THE  ATLAS  BANK 

Transacts  a general  banking  business.  Prompt  attention 
given  to  collections.  M.  H.  Mendenhall,  President;  C.  C.  Fisher, 
Cashier. 


CHAS.  J.  GUNCKLE, 

Fresh  bread,  cakes,  pies,  etc.,  etc.  Select  oysters  by  can  or  dish. 


J.  H.  THORNBURG, 
Druggist. 


I.  N.  REIHNOUR, 

Jeweler.  Pianos,  Organs,  Musical  goods  of  all  kinds. 


KING  & McGILL, 

Dealers  in  Staple  and  Fancy  Groceries,  Fruits  and  Vege- 
tables in  season. 


254 


UNION  CITY,  RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


THE  COMMERCIAL  BANK. 

Of  Union  City,  Indiana.  Capital,  $100,000;  surplus  fund, 
$15,000.  Wm.  Kerr,  President;  C.  S.  Hardy,  Vice-President;  J. 
F.  Rubey,  Cashier. 


DAILY  AND  WEEKLY  EAGLE, 

Union  City,  Ind.  An  old  and  reliable  newspaper. 

W.  S.  ENSIGN,  Proprietor. 

HAMMON  & CLAPP, 

Dress-making  and  Milliner.  The  latest  French  paterns. 

FARMLAND. 

OPERA  HOUSE  DRUG  STORE. 

P.  M.  BLY.  Everything  in  the  drug  line.  Largest  -and 
most  complete  stock  in  Randolph  County. 


G.  W.  LONGNECKER, 

Merchant  Tailor,  over  Farmers’  and  Citizens’  bank.  Large 
line  of  samples  of  newest  styles  woolens.  All  work  made  satis- 
factory. 


LEE  R.  JACKSON, 

Watchmaker  and  Jeweler. 


CITY  RESTAURANT, 

ARTHUR  HUBBARD,  Proprietor. 


MEEKS,  THE  DRUGGIST, 

I.  O.  O.  F.  Block. 

W.  J.  DAVISSON, 

Jeweler.  Watches,  Clocks,  Jewelery  and  Silver  Plated 
Ware  and  Spectacles.  Repairing  a specialty. 


W.  W.  THORNBURG, 

Dealer  in  all  kinds  of  Grain,  Agricultural  Imulements,  Barrel 


PARKER  CITY,  RANDOLPH  CONUTY. 


255 


CALL  ON  —I 

SAMUEL  RUBB 

FOR  YOUR 

% 


W.  E.  MILLER’S 

One  Price  Store ! 

Is  the  place  to  buy  your 

DRY  GOODS, 

CLOTHING.  HATS.  CAPS. 


Carpets,  Window  Blinds, 


256 


PARKER  CITY,  RANDOLPH  CONUTY. 


E.  T.  WHITNEY. 

DEALER  IN 

JeuJelry,  Fiirniftire,  Undertaking 

find  the  Only  Exclusive  Shoe  Store 
in  Parker  City 


Stoves  and  Tinware. 


Watch  and  Clock  Repairing  a Specialty. 


ELMER  E.  DEAL, 

THE  LEADING  DEALER  IN 

HARDWARE,  STOVES,  TINWARE 

AND  BUILDERS’  MATERIAL. 

FINE  LINE  OF  CUTLERY. 


Highest  Grade  of  flechanics’  Tools. 


PARKER  CITY,  RANDOLPH  CONUT Y. 


257 


L.  H.  KARNS, 

Notary  and  Conveyancer,  Pensions  and  Insurance,  sells  all 
kinds  of  implements — the  Empire  Binder  and  Mower,  the  Ham- 
ilton and  Indiana  Riding  and  Tongueless  Cultivators,  Planters 
and  Checkrowers,  the  I.  L.  Ellwood  Wove  Wire  Fence,  Binder 
Twine  and  Oil. 


HOTEL  WOODLAWN, 

J.  B.  Shook,  proprietor.  Located  in  new  Woodlawn  block. 
Rates,  $2  per  day.  New  hotel,  newly  furnished,  new  landlord. 
For  first-class  board  and  lodging  and  reaspnable  prices  call  on 

MRS.  BOICE. 

Rooms  well  ventilated. 


JACOB  M.  BASKE, 

Dealer  in  and  manufacturer  of  all  kinds  of  Harness  and 
everything  kept  in  a harness  store. 


D.  L.  PIDGEON, 

Dealer  in  Furniture  and  Undertaker. 


KEEP  COOL. 


Call  for  PLACE’S  Ice  Cream  and  Soft  Drinks. 

Have  no  other. 

Write  for  Prices  for  Picnics  and  Public  Gatherings. 


Decattir,  Ind. 


vJ.  CJD.  PLACE. 


258 


LYNN,  RANDOLPH  CONUTY. 


J.  B.  CHENOUTH  LUMBER  CO. 


W.  E.  HINSHAW. 

Dealer  in  Hardware,  Furniture,  Bicycles,  Picture  Frames 
and  Moulding. 


For  all  kinds  of  Fancy  Millinery  goods  call  on 
MRS.  J.  H.  MARONEY, 

On  South  Main  Street. 


PARKER  & STETLER, 

Dealer  in  Staple  and  Fancy  Groceries,  Glass  and  Queensware. 


NICHOLS  HOUSE, 

H.  D.  & W.  A.  Nichols. 

LYNN,  Randolph  County,  Indiana. 


NELLIE  CLEMENTS, 
Milliner. 


MODY  & HOLLINGSWORTH, 

Dealers  in  Hardware,  Tinware,  Stoves,  Pumps  and  Farming 
Implements. 


J.  H.  HUBBARD, 

Druggist  and  Apothecary. 

BOWEN  BROTHERS, 

Dealers  in  General  Merchandise  and  Grain. 


E.  J.  HINSHAW, 

Dealer  in  Groceries  and  Confectioneries,  Notions,  Tobacco, 
Cigars  and  all  kifids  of  refreshments.  Watches  and  Jewelry. 
Lunch.  Fruits.  NEWS  DEPOT.  Agency  for  4,000  news- 
papers and  magazines. 


THE  LYNN  TRIBUNE. 

The  best  newspaper  in  Randolph  County.  An  excellent 
advertising  medium.  Fancy  and  Commercial  printing  neatly 
executed.  LYNN,  IND. 


LIBRARY 

UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 
URBANA 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


259 


CHAPTER  I. 


At  once  there  rose  so  wild  a yell,  ■ y ; 

From  out  that  dark  and  narrow  dell, 

1 As  if  all  the  angels  from  Heaven  fell. 

Had  pealed  the  banner  cry  of  hell. — Rush. 

Just  one  hundred  years  ago  from  last  November  4th,  or  prop- 
erly  speaking,  November  4th,  1791,  there  was  encamped  on  a 
knoll  or  rising  piece  of  ground  on  the  bank  of  the  Wabash  river, 
now  the  site  of  the  beautiful  village  of  Fort  Recovery,  twenty 
miles  from  Ridgeville,  an  army  of  two  thousand  regulars  and 
about  one  thousand  of  undrilled,  untamed,  untried  irregulars, 
all  under  command  of  General  Arthur  St.  Clair,  a brave  office  and 
gallant  leader  who  knew  how  to  lead  his  forces  against  a civilized 
enemy,  but  who  knew  as  much  about  fighting  the  cunning  red- 
man  as  John  Smith  knows  about  the  Bland  silver  bill  or  the  Re- 
ciprocity of  the  Plumed  Knight.  St.  Clair  had  been  sent  with  this 
little  army  into  the  very  heart  of  the  wilderness  to  conquer  and 
bring  under  subjection  the  several  tribes  of  Indians — among 
them  the  bloody  Potawatomies,  Miamies,  Wyandottes,  Chippe- 
was  and  others,  under  the  leadership  of  such  famous  chiefs  as 
Little  Turtle,  LaFontaine,  Rushville  and  others  fully  as  war- 
like, brave  and  cunning  as  they.  This  little  army  had  penetrated 
the  wilderness  thus  far  without  any  serious  disaster;  building 
forts  and  block  houses  as  they  moved  deeper  and  deeper  into  the 
forests,  that  they  might  have  a place  to  fall  back  to  in  case  of  de- 
feat or  lack  of  supplies  or  other  necesisities.  All  had  gone  well 
thus  far,  and  our  little  army  had  almost  dispaired  a brush,  as  they 
called  it,  with  the  Indians.  It  is  said,  in  extenuation  of  what  fol- 
lowed, that  St.  Clair  was  suffering  from  an  attack  of  rheumatism, 
and  was  hardly  able  to  walk,  much  less  mount  a horse  and  take 


260 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


command  in  such  a crisis.  The  fact  is,  probably,  that  being  so 
long  without  meeting  hostile  Indians,  the  little  army  became 
careless  and  unconcerned.  The  very  situation  the  redman  was 
waiting  for,  be  this  as  it  may,  came  just  at  day-break  and  just  as 
the  guard  was  being  relieved.  The  terrible  warwhoop  that  be- 
gins this  chapter,  and  a sound  heard  never  forgotten,  was  heard 
on  all  sides  at  once.  A great  many  of  the  tired  soldiers  were 
yet  sleeping  soundly,  while  others  were  cooking  their  breakfast; 
in  fact  all  except  the  guards  unarmed.  Could  the  redmen  have 
selected  a better  time  to  begin  the  massacre? 

I do  not  intend  to  describe  the  battle,  if  battle  it  might  be 
called,  for  that  is  already  history.  Let  it  suffice  that  time  and 
again  the  Indians,  with  blood-curdling  whoops  and  upraised 
tomahawks,  charged  right  into  the  midst  of  the  camp.  Again 
and  again,  were  they  driven  back  bv  heroic  men  fighting  for  their 
very  lives,  and  again  would  they ‘return  to  the  charge  more  de- 
termined and  bloody  than  ever,  and  as  might  be  expected,  that 
which  for  a brief  time  arose  to  the  dignity  of  a battle  became  a de- 
feat— a rout,  ruin,  murder,  slaughter.  Many  of  the  men  were 
tomahawked  in  their  tents  without  firing  a gun;  resistance  seemed 
of  no  more  use,  and  then  every  man,  especially  the  irregulars, 
tried  to  save  his  own  life;  the  nearest  fort,  Greenville,  twelve  or 
fifteen  miles  away,  became  the  only  hope.  The  deeds  of  heroism, 
of  self-sacrifice  for  the  lives  of  others  on  that  terrible  retreat,  is  a 
history  of  itself.  Many  were  killed  as  they  ran,  refusing  even  to 
fight  for  their  lives.  How  many  reached  the  fort  at  Greenville 
was  never  exactly  known,  but  when  the  pursuit  stopped  and  the 
Indians  returened  to  the  real  enjoymentof  the  fight  (scalping 
and  tomahawking)  they  found  nine  hundred  dead  and  dying 
white  men:  heroes  who  had  lain  down  their  lives  at  the  com- 
mand and  through  the  incompetency  of  their  leaders,  as  many, 
very  many,  have  done  in  later  years.  An  old  squaw  speaking  of 
this  many  years  later,  said  she  became  so  tired  scalping  the  white 
men  that  she  had  to  lay  down  the  knife  and  rest.  The  loss  of  life 
to  the  Indians  was  never  known ; but  of  course  was  comparatively 
small.  The  defeat  of  St.  Clair  was  a crushing  blow,  but  at  last 
it  cost  the  redman  dearly.  Another  expedition  was  immediately 
sent  against  the  Indians  under  the  command  of  General  Anthony 
Wayne — Mad  Anthony,  as  he  was  familiarly  called — who  per- 
fectly understood  their  mode  of  warfare,  and  he  so  thoroughly 
whipped  and  cowed  them  that  they  sued  for  peace,  which  treaty 
was  ratified  at  Greenville  in  *795;  and  so  afraid  had  the  Indians 
became  of  Wayne  that  he  made  them  believe  that  if  they  again 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


26l 


took  up  the  tomahawk,  he  would  arise  from  the  grave  and  ex- 
terminate the  last  living  redman,  and  it  is  needless  to  say  they 
never  broke  the  contract,  but  stood  solemnly  by  and  saw  the  pale- 
face rob  him;  saw  him  clear,  plow,  plant,  and  reap  ground  that 
for  generations  had  been  a home  for  his  ancestors ; where  he  had 
killed  game,  trapped  the  fur,  raised  the  maize  that  fed  and  clothed 
his  children,  bought  his  powder  and  his  lead.  Poor  Lo;  you  are 
not  in  it;  however,  our  government  would  not  do  that  way  now. 
We  are  more  civilized  and  christianized  and  under  no  circum- 
stances would  we  rob  or  cheat  the  poor  ignorant  redman ; would 
we?  Perish  the  thought. 

By  the  Greenville  treaty  the  Indians  ceded  to  the  govern- 
ment all  the  land  lying  east  and  south  of  a line  beginning  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Cuyahoga  river,  running  thence  west  to  Fort  Re- 
covery, thence  in  a southwesterly  direction  to  the  Ohio  river, 
intersecting  that  river  at  a point  opposite  the  Kentucky  river. 

Comparatively  few  know  it,  but  nearly  every  man  and  wo- 
man in  Ridgeville  cross  that  famous  historical  line  daily.  It 
enters  Ridgeville  from  the  farm  of  Hannah  Ward,  crosses  Main 
street  west  of  the  G.  R.  & I.  railroad,  the  lots  of  James  Cunning- 
ham, and  Richards,  angling  across  the  old  cemetery,  the  lot  of 
Eve  Ginger,  on  the  corner  of  Race  and  Second  streets,  through 
Hawthorne’s  restaurant,  the  Bank,  the  McKew  grove,  thence 
northeast  to  Fort  Recovery. 

We  have  several  relics  from  the  field  of  St.  Clair’s  defeat, 
presented  to  my  family  by  Comrade  John  M.  Clum,  of  Fort  Re- 
covery; am®ng  them  a bayonet,  broken  Indian  tomahawk,  gun 
lock,  bullets,  etc. 

At  that  time  the  Mississinewa  country,  where  Ridgeville  now 
stands,  was  known  as  the  best  hunting,  trapping  and  fishing 
grounds  in  the  northwest,  and  it  was  natural  to  suppose  that  a 
great  many  of  these  scattered  tribes  of  Indians  would  seek  the 
Mississinewa  as  their  future  homes.  Mississinewa  in  the  Miami 
tongue  means  clear  running  water;  and  it  is  with  these  Indians, 
good  and  bad,  and  the  few  white  settlers  that  came  and  settled 
among  them,  that  the  writer  proposes  to  deal. 


Thou  shall  not  covert  thy  neighbor’s  house  nor  his  wife,  nor 
his  mam  servant,  nor  his  maid  servant,  nor  his  ox,  nor  his  ass, 
nor  anything  that  is  they  neighbors. — Tenth  Commandment. 

Among  the  Indians  that  made  the  Mississinewa  their  home, 
was  a bad  Indian  named  Fleming;  this  particular  red  man  was 
not  only  feared  and  dreaded  by  the  whites,  but  the  Indians  them- 


262 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


selves  felt  more  safe  with  their  lives  and  property  when  Fleming 
was  away  from  them.  He  was  a perfect  fiend  for  fire-water,  and 
when  by  any  means  he  could  get  it,  he  became  a ferocious  devil, 
and  had  killed  one  or  two  Indians  and  no  telling  how  many  white 
men,  but  had,  through  his  superior  cunning  managed  to  escape 
the  laws  of  both  the  redmen  and  the  statutes  of  the  white  men, 
by  a plea  of  self-defense,  justifiable  homicide,  or  some  other 
lucky  circumstance. 

It  was  the  custom  of  the  Indians,  when  they  saw  that  Flem- 
ing was  getting  about  drunk  enough  to  be  boisterous  and  dan- 
gerous, for  three  or  four  of  the  stoutest  of  them  to  jump  upon 
him  unawares  and  tie  him  head  and  heels,  take  away  his  knife  and 
tomahawk  and  then  bind  him  to  a tree,  where  he  staid  until  he 
sobered  and  promised  to  be  a good  “Injun.” 

Now  it  so  happened  that  there  was  a mulatto,  named  Smith, 
(probably  a descendant  of  Pocahontas  John)  who  had  married 
an  Indian  woman  or  squaw,  and  was  not  very  well  liked  by  the 
red  men  in  general,  and  cordially  hated  by  Fleming  in  particular. 
And,  moreover,  to  complicate  the  situation,  this  untutored  sav- 
age, not  having  the  benefit  of  Christian  civilization,  and  of  course 
never  having  heard  of  the  ten  commandments,  did  covert  his 
neighbor’s  wife,  and  had  a strong  hankering  for  an  excellent 
flint  lock  rifle  that  Smith  owned  and  possessed.  Mrs.  Smith, 
poor,  unelightened  heathen,  not  being  one  of  the  Four  Hundred, 
and  knowing  little  of  the  custom  of  civilized  society,  was  not 
averse  to  being  coveted  by  one  of  her  own  race,  and  one  vastly 
supperior  to  her  “nigger”  husband.  Of  course  such  things  do 
not  happen  in  these  times;  so  much  for  our  education;  it  would 
be  rare  indeed  to  find  a covetous  man  in  this  respect  to-day,  or  a 
woman  that  would  harbor  such  a thought.  But  bear  in  mind 
that  these  people  were  nothing  but  savages  and  had  no  teacher 
but  nature  in  these  matters.  Well,  as  might  be  expected,  this 
covetous  Indian  began  to  devise  ways  and  means  by  which  he 
might  possess  this  dusky  squaw,  and  have,  hold  and  keep  her  as 
his  very  own.  In  order  to  succeed  in  this  precarious  and  doubt- 
ful enterprise,  it  was  necessary  to  have  the  assistance  of  the  wo- 
man in  the  case.  So  a council  was  called  with  Fleming,  the 
Indian,  and  Mrs.  Smith,  the  squaw,  the  only  ones  present;  even 
Smith  was  not  invited,  and  they  way  that  Indian  and  squaw  fixed 
up  the  plan  to  remove  Smith,  and  allow  Fleming  to  possess  him- 
self of  the  wife,  rifle,  cabin  and  all  else  pertaining  thereto,  was 
worthy  of  a betttr  cause;  and  for  cold-blooded  villainy  and  shrewd 
cunning  has  rarely  been  excelled.  At  this  time  Smith,  or  the 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


263 


“nigger/  as  he  was  called,  lived  in  a log  cabin  near  where  Stone 
Station  now  is,  and  his  only  neighbor,  living  in  a somewhat  larger 
cabin  near  him,  was  a white  man  named  Jesse  Gray,  and  who 
will  be  the  hero  and  the  noblest  Roman  of  them  all  in  these  remi- 
niscences later  on. 

When  the  council  held  by  Fleming  and  the  squaw  adjourned 
sine  die,  it  was  thus  arranged:  Mrs.  Smith  was  to  forget  that 

she  had  left  her  petticoat  hanging  on  a bush  in  front  of  their 
cabin  and  in  the  early  morning  ask  her  hubby,  Mr.  Smith,  to 
please  step  out  and  get  it  for  her,  while  the  wily  Fleming  was 
lying  concealed  behind  a log,  a nice  rifle  shot  distance,  with  his 
trusty  flint  lock  pointed  directly  towards  Smith’s  cabin.  This 
part  of  the  plot  was  all  right  so  far,  but  the  wisest  schemes  of  men 
and  mice,  gang  aft  aglee.  The  petticoat  was  there,  and  Fleming, 
the  Indian,  and  the  rifle  was  there,  the  squaw  was  there,  and  the 
“nigger”  was  there.  Just  as  the  first  faint  streaks  of  the  morning 
sun  shone  through  the  tops  of  the  maples,  Smith  stepped  from 
his  cabin  door  and  stood  for  a moment  taking  in  the  beauties  of 
the  spring  morn,  and  listening  to  the  gobble-gobble  of  the  wild 
turkeys  and  the  song  of  the*  hundreds  of  tjie  beutiful  birds  be- 
ginning their  morning  concert.  He  finally  stepped  to  the  bush, 
raised  his  hand  to  get  the  petticoat,  but  he  didn't. 

t 

O,  I could  play  the  woman  with  mine  eyes  and  braggart  with 
mine  tongue;  but  front  to  front  bring  thou  this  fiend  of  Scotland, 
and  myself;  within  my  sword  length  set  him,  and  if  he  escape. 
Heaven  forgive  him,  too. — Macbeth. 

And  why  he  didnT  we  will  have  to  go  back  to  the  style  of 
dress  worn  at  that  period.  Of  course  some  of  the  older  readers 
will  remember  the  flap  that  embellished  the  front  of  the  pants 
worn  by  the  men  of  that  day,  somewhat  resembling  a barn  door, 
only  instead  of  swinging  sideways,  as  the  door,  the  flap  swung 
outward  and  downward,  and  was  suported  at  the  top  with  two  or 
three  large  buttons.  The  man  that  could  afford  metal  buttons 
was  considered  one  of  the  four  hundred,  and  it  so  happened  that 
the  “niger”  was  the  happy  owner  of  a beautiful  metalic  button, 
pure  shining  brass,  and  as  large  as  a half  dollar.  This  button 
supported  the  flap  of  Smith’s  pants  just  above  the  center  of  his 
abdomen.  Well,  what  has  this  button  to  do  with  the  Indian,  the 
nigger,  or  the  squaw,  the  reader  will  ask.  Patience,  reader,  you 
will  see  that  it  hasi  lots  to  do  with  it.  As  Smith  raised  his  hand 
to  take  the  rag  from  the  bush  his  face  was  turned  to  the  east,  the 
morning  sunshining  on  that  button  made  it  a target  so  tempting 


264 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


that  the  Indian  could  not  resist  the  temptation  to  draw  a bead  on 
it;  although  it  was  not  the  spot  to  do  the  nigger  to  death  the 
most  speedy,  it  would  do  it  just  as  surely;  swish — bang — Smith 
saw  the  flash  but  could  not  dodge  the  bullet.  It  struck  that 
button  fair  and  square;  Smith  sprang  about  six  feet  in  the  air, 
gave  a yell  that  could  be  heard  in  the  next  county,  and  came 
down,  rolling  over,  believing,  of  course,  that  he  had  a bullet  hole 
right  through  his  vitals.  The  Indian,  thinking  he  had  done  him 
sure,  did  not  exercise  the  usual  caution  of  the  red  man  in  making 
a sneak  away ; and  the  nigger  about  that  time  discovered  that  he 
was  not  dead,  raised  up  and  started  for  the  cabin  door.  In  so 
doing  he  had  a fair  view  of  Fleming,  and  he  knew  to  a dead  cer- 
tainity  who  had  shot  him.  Just  then  the  squaw  opened  the  door, 
rushed  out  yelling,  “who  shoot!  who  shoot!”  and  when  she  saw 
that  her  poor  husband  was  sihot  (and  not  killed)  her  grief  was 
pitiable  to  behold;  “who  shoot!  who  shoot  Smith!'  she  repeated, 
of  course  having  no  idea  who  did  it.  “D — n black  coward  Flem- 
ing,” said  Smith.  “Oh,  no,  Flemin’,  he  good  Injun,  he  no  shoot 
Smithy;  he  friend  to  Smithy.”  They  finally  got  into  the  cabin 
where  Smith  took  an  inventory  of  the  damage  done  by  the  In- 
dian's bullet.  He  found  the  bullet  had  glanced  from  the  button, 
passed  just  under  the  skin,  struck  a rib,  followed  the  rib  around 
and  came  out  on  the  back,  making  a very  painful,  but  not  dan- 
gerous wound. 

When  the  nigger  discovered  that  he  was  not  killed  outright 
his  rage  was  awful  to  behold.  He  raved  and  fairly  pawed  the 
earth ; swore  he  would  load  his  old  flint  lock  musket  and  before 
sun-down  he  would  have  that  d — d Injun  Fleming’s  scalp  hang- 
ing to  his  belt.  But  his  squaw  had  no  trouble  in  persuading 
him  out  of  the  notion,  telling  him  it  was  very  wicked  and  con- 
trary to  the  law  to  kill  Injuns  ,and  moreover,  she  was  quite  sure 
that  Fleming  did  not  shoot  him.  “Look  here,  old  woman,  don’t 
I done  told  you  it  was  Flemin’,  didn’t  I see  him  sneak  away?” 
said  Smith.  This  settled  the  squaw  for  the  time  being,  at  least, 
and  Smith  hugged  the  cabin  mighty  close  for  a week  or  so, 
waiting  for  his  wound  to  heal,  in  the  meantime  keeping  his 
weather  eye  on  the  squaw,  for  at  last  he  had  begun  to  tumble,  as 
we  call  it  to-day.  He  flatly  told  Mrs.  Smith  that  if  she  left  her 
petticoat  on  the  bush  any  more  she  might  get  it  herself;  and, 
moreover,  he  thought  there  was  too  much  malaria  in  this  flat 
country  to  be  healthy,  and  they  had  better  move  down  on  White 
Water  where  there  was  less  malaria  and  fewer  Indians;  and  in 
the  meantime  he  would  consult  his  old  white  friend,  Jesse  Gray, 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


265 


who  hated  all  Indians  in  general,  and  Fleming  in  particular. 

As  Jesse  Gray  will  be  a prominent  character  in  these  remi- 
niscences, it  will  be  proper  to  give  a brief  biography  of  the  man 
so  the  reader  may  know  who  and  what  he  was,  and  how  he  come 
to  be  such  a bitter  and  unrelenting  enemy  of  the  red  man.  Jesse 
Gray,  at  that  time  a youth  of  nineteen  or  twenty,  was  living  with 
his  family,  near  where  Fountain  City  now  stands.  The  family 
consisted  of  his  step-father,  mother,  two  younger  brothers  and 
two  or  three  step-brothers  and  sisters,  the  youngest  a baby  sister 
a half  a year  old,  and  Jesse  himself  the  main  dependence  of  the 
family.  They  were  on  the  best  of  terms  with  the  young  Indians; 
Jesse  associated  with  the  young  Indians  so  much  that  he  was  an 
Indian  himself  in  all  but  blood  and  color;  he  was  the  equal  of  the 
best  of  them  and  superior  to  the  most  of  them  in  the  use  of  the 
rifle,  in  running,  jumping,  wrestling,  and  in  fact  in  all  the  athletic 
sports  that  the  Indian  so  much  delight  in.  Even  when  the  writer 
first  made  his  acquaintance,  neariy  fifty  years  ago,  he  was  then  a 
man1 -of  seventy  or  more,  as  straight  as  an  arrow  and  six  feet  or 
more  in  height,  with  the  eye  of  an  eagle,  and  walking  with  that 
cat-like  step  common  to  all  pioneers  that  had  to  deal  with  the 
cunning  of  the  red  man  of  the  country.  As  I lay  on  my  back 
in  our  hunter’s  camp,  a boy  of  12  or  14,  on  a dark  stormy  night 
with  the  owls  hooting  and  a hundred  wolves  howling  and  snarling 
around  our  camp,  and  listening  to  the  grand  old  man  recount 
those  thrilling  tragedies,  I would  cuddle  down  closer  to  my 
father,  feeling  almost  as  if  the  bloody  savages  were  just  ready  to 
swoop  down  on  our  camp  and  tomahawk  and  scalp  us. 

As  the  old  man  told  his  story  tears  would  fill  his  eyes,  and 
his  voice  become  husky,  although  a half  century  had  intervened 
since  the  occurrences  he  was  relating.  As  stated  in  a previous 
chapter,  at  this  time  this  country  abounded  in  fine  sugar  groves, 
and  everybody,  white  or  red,  that  could  own  or  borrow  an  iron 
kettle,  would  engage  in  sugar  making  in  the  spring,  and  the 
sugar,  with  other  products,  was  shipped  down  the  Mississinewa 
in  flat  boats  and  bartered  for  amunition,  salt,  muslin,  blankets, 
etc.  Grab’s  family  were  busily  engaged  in  this  sugar  making,  all 
unmindful  of  the  terrible  fate  hanging  over  them.  The  sap  being 
abundant  that  spring  required  their  presence  day  and  night,  and 
on  this  fatal  night  in  particular  they  were  all  present  except  Jesse, 
who  had  been  sent  to  a neighbors  several  miles  distant  to  try  and 
get  an  extra  kettle,  and  would  not  return  till  the  next  day.  and  it 
was  good  for  him  that  he  was  absent.  It  was  with  extreme  re- 
luctance that  Jesse  consented  to  go,  telling  his  father  that. he  did 


266 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


not  like  the  actions  of  the  Indians  for  some  time  back,  but  his 
father  hooted  at  his  fears,  and  bade  him  go,  telling  him,  “we  have 
nothing  to  fear  from  the  red  man;  are  they  not  our  friends?  Did 
not  two  of  their  prominent  men  partake  of  our  hospitality  this 
very  day?”  Fatal  security;  still  Jesse  was  not  satisfied  and  in- 
sisted on  leaving  his  gun  with  the  family;  but  this,  too,  his  father 
refused,  saying,  “that  they  were  about  out  of  meat  and  he  might 
kill  a deer  on  his  return  home.”  With  a heavy  and  misgiving 
heart  he  left  the  family;  will  he  every  see  them  again  alive? 
Long  before  the  peep  of  day  next  morning  he  was  on  his  way 
home,  walking  or  rather  running  at  a rate  of  speed  that  a deer 
might  have  crossed  his  path  within  reach  of  his  gun  with  perfect 
safety;  his  only  desire  being  to  see  his  dear  family  as  he  had  left 
them  in  the  evening  before.  But,  Oh!  what  awful  heart  breaks 
await  us  sometimes  in  this  world  of  sorrow  and  uncertainly; 
what  crushing  events  may  happen  in  a single  day;  yea,  within  an 
hour.  It  was  just  at  sunrise  when  Jesse  reached  a little  knoll  or 
rising  ground  from  whence  he  could  see  the  camp  or  rather  see 
where  the  camp  should  be.  He  paused  for  a moment,  almost 
afraid  to  look;  the  stillness  of  death  reigned;  even  the  morning 
songsters  seemed  to  realize  that  something  terrible  was  happen- 
ing; his  faithful  hunting  dog  “Fleet,”  who  was  always  wont  to 
come  running  and  barking  to  meet  his  kind  master,  was  nowhere 
to  be  seen  or  heard.  This  simple  incident  was  more  ominous  to 
the  young  man  than  all  else,  but  he  was  forced  to  look ; and  where 
the  camp  should  be,  was  now  a smouldering  ruin.  Could  he, 
dare  he  go  on  and  look  on  the  horrible  sight  that  he  instinctively 
knew  must  greet  him  there?  Yes,  go  he  must,  for  this  dreaded 
uncertainty  was  worse  than  death  itself,  and  hope  still  whispered 
some  might  be  spared. 

('  > 

Witch — Fillet  of  a Fenny  snake, 

In  the  caldron  boil  and  bake, 

Eye  of  newt  and  toe  of  frog, 

Wool  oi  bat  and  tongue  of  dog. 

Adder’s  fork  and  blind  worm’s  sting, 

Lizard’s  legs  and  owlet’s  wing, 

For  a charm  of  powerful  trouble; 

Like  a hell  broth  boil  and  bubble. 

All — Double,  double  toil  and  trouble, 

Fire  burn  and  caldron  bubble, 
t - — Shakespear. 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


267 


Surely  they  could  not,  savages  though  they  be,  find  it  in  their 
cruel  hearts  to  murder  his  little  innocent  sisters!  They  would 
not  be  that  bloody  minded ! But  he  must  go  on ; before  he  started 
again  he  leaned  against  a tree  for  support ; he  could  hear  the  beat- 
ing of  his  heart;  his  knees  trembled,  and  it  seemed  as  if  he  must 
sink  to  the  ground,  but  he  made  one  more  super-human  effort  to 
•compose  himself,  and  went  forward  to  that  awful  scene  of 
destruction,  upon  which  he  must  look,  though  it  killed  him.  As 
he  started  he  gave  a sharp,  familiar  whistle  for  his  dog,  feeling 
that  the  companionship  of  that  poor  dumb  brute  was  worth  a 
world  to  him  then;  but  the  only  answer  he  received  to  his  call 
was  the  echo  of  his  own  voice.  A few  hasty  steps  brought  him 
to  the  spot  where,  only  a brief  twelve  hours  before,  he  had  left 
all  activity  and  bustle,  but  now  as  silent  as  the  grave.  One* 
swift,  hasty  glance  showed  to  the  young  man  that  his  worst  fears 
were  more  than  realized;  every  member  of  his  loved  family  lay 
dead  before  his  eyes,  and  he  was  an  orphan  indeed;  even  his 
faithful  dog  lay  in  the  ruins  of  the  camp  half  consumed  by  the 
fire.  When  the  old  man  told  this  part  of  the  horrible  tragedy, 
his  eyes  filled  with  tears  and  he  had  to  stop  a while  to  weep, 
though  a half  a century  or  more  had  intervened  since  the  occur- 
rence. Is  it  any  wonder  that  as  the  boy  stood  there  viewing  the 
• awful  havoc  that  at  once  made  him  an  orphan  and  left  him  all 
alone  in  the  world,  he  should  become  insanely  enraged  and  begin 
to  devise  a plan  for  revenge?  He  kneeled  by  the  body  of  his 
mother  and  baby  sister  and  registered  a solemn  oath  before  high 
Heaven  that  henceforth  no  Indian  should  cross  his  path  and  live. 
How  well  he  kept  his  vow,  will  appear  further  along  in  these 
reminiscences.  Young  Gray  at  once  alarmed  the  few  scattering 
neighbors  who  assembled  at  the  Gray  residence  and  with  tearful 
eyes  and  heavy  hearts  proceeded  to  bury  the  murdered  victims 
in  the  best  manner  possible  at  that  day.  A . company  was  organ- 
ized to  pursue,  and  if  possible  to  punish,  the  murderers  of  the 
Gray’s,  but  it  is  needless  to  say  it  came  to  naught.  Where  the 
Indians  came  from,  or  of  what  they  were,  it  was  hard  to  tell;  of 
course  every  Indian  in  the  neighborhood  could  prove  that  he 
was  in  his  own  sugar  camp  on  that  night  in  particular.  The  sup- 
position was  finally  reached  that  they  were  a roving  band  of  cut- 
throats from  the  Miami  tribe  down  on  the  Wabash  river,  near 
where  Marion  now  stands.  But  while  this  brave  little  company 
of  neighbors  failed  to  punish  the  murderers,  .young  Gray  was  all 
the  more  determined,  single  handed  and  alone,  to  hunt  them  to 
death.  One  peculiar  thing  they  could  not  understand,  was  that 


268 


RANDOLPH  COV NT Y. 


the  Grays  were  the  only  family  struck;  not  another  person  was 
disturbed.  The  only  solution  at  vfrhich  they  could  arrive  was  that 
Gray  at  some  time  or  times  had  incurred  the  enmity  of  the  In- 
dians by  beating  them  at  their  games,  and  having  them  laughed 
at  by  onlookers,  and  this  was  their  mode  of  getting  even.  Young 
Jesse,  being  trained'in  the  same  school,  made  up  his  mind  to  take 
every  advantage,  fair  or  foul,  to  revenge  the  killing  of  his  family. 
He  soon  concluded,  however,  that  he  would  have  to  modify  his 
first  intention  to  kill  indiscriminately,  and  confined  himself  more 
particularly  to  the  wiping  out  of  those  Indians  that  had  done  him 
such  great  wrong,  and  for  this  purpose  he  must  have  some  friends 
among  the  Indians;  for  he  wisely  concluded  that  the  murderers 
were  known  to  some  of  the  Indians  camped  on  the  Mississinewa 
and  that  by  degrees  he  could  wring  the  secret  from  them  one  way 
or  another.  By  his  superior  cunning  and  skill,  it  did  not  take  him 
long  to  get  the  superstitious  reds  in  mortal  dread  of  the  pale  face 
hunter,  who  in  spite  of  their  ever  watchful  eye,  and  more  watch- 
ful dogs,  would  be  standing  right  in  the  midst  of  them,  in  front  of 
their  wigwams  while  they  were  quietly  smoking  their  pipes;  here 
he  would  be.  all  of  a sudden,  as  if  he  had  descended  from  the  sky, 
with  the  palm  of  his  hand  turned  toward  them,  and  the  friendly 
greeting,  “How,”  which  at  once  made  him  an  honored  guest. 
Little  by  little,  by  hunting  with  them,  by  giving  them  tobacco,  % 
beads,  etc.,  he  managed  to  find  out  the  murderers  to  be  a band  of 
six,  from  the  Miamis,  down  the  river,  and  that  this  red  devil, 
Fleming,  although  not  in  the  massacre  himself,  had  been  the 
ruling  spirit  in  the  plot.  This  was  all  young  Gray  wished  to 
know,  and  at  once  set  about  his  revenge.  It  is  well  for  the 
reader  to  remember  that  the  law  was  equally  strict  against  killing 
an  Indian  or  white  man;  and,  in  fact,  it  was  more  dreaded,  for  to 
kill  an  Indian  it  was  likely  to  bring  down  swift  vengeance  on  the 
whole  settlement ; blood  for  blood  was  the  Indian’s  only  creed. 

It  was  noticed  by  his  neighbors  that  Tesse  would  prepare  a 
large  amount  of  powder  and  bullets  and  start  off  on  a hunt,  never 
telling  any  one  where  he  was  going  or  what  kind  of  game  he  was 
going  to  hunt.  On  these  trips  he  would  be  gone  for  months; 
at  other  times  only  a few  weeks,  but  always  soon  after  his  return, 
word  would  reach  the  settlement  that  an  Indian  or  two  was  found 
dead  with  a bullet  hole  through  his  heart  or  brain.  Of  course 
some  of  the  Indians  that  knew- him  well,  had  a strong  suspicion 
that  Gray  was  the  avenger,  but  so  afraid  of  Gray  were  they,  that 
they  kept  their  own  counsel,  only  wishing  that  they  might  not 
gain  his  enmity.  One  of  the  tricks  that  he  played  on  the  super- 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


269 


stitious  reds, was,  that  when  they  visited  his  camp,  Jesse,  while 
cooking  the  meal,  would  set  down  by  the  boiling  pot  and  mum- 
ble over  some  giberish  and  then  tell  them  that  all  true  friends 
could  eat  to  their  satisfaction;  but  if  a treacherous  enemy  ate  of 
the  food  it  would  make  him  very  sick,  and  that  he  could  never 
more  have  luck  with  the  gun.  By  these  tricks,  and  by  invaria- 
bly keeping  faith  with  them,  he  made  many  true  friends  among 
them.  In  the  meantime  Jesse  had  married  the  woman  of  his 
choice,  and  had  made  considerable  headway  clearing  up  his  farm. 
With  the  exception  of  his  periodical  trips  down  the  river  on  the 
hunt,  he  was  considered  a very  ordinary  man. 


The  law  of  self  preservation  is  higher  than  all  law,  and  a 
man  may  resort  to  it,  even  to  the  taking  of  life  of  another,  in  the 
defense  of  himself  or  family. — Revised  Statutes. 

We  will  not  attempt  to  follow  him  through  all  his  thrilling 
adventures  with  the  red  man,  but  let  it  be  suffice  that  in  ten  years 
or  less  not  a single  Indian  connected  with  the  killing  of  his  family 
was  alive,  except  Fleming,  the  plotter,  and  Gray  was  hot  on  his 
trail,  but  the  wily  savage,  knowing  that  Gray  was  after  him,  al- 
ways managed  to  lay  very  low  when  he  heard  that  Gray  was  on 
the  war-path.  He  had  sent  word  to  Gray  that  he  would  kill  him 
on  sight,  but  he  was  careful  not  to  get  him  in  sight.  Things 
were  in  about  this  condition  when  the  shooting  of  the  ‘ ‘nigger” 
occured.  Gray,  as  before  stated,  had  built  a cabin  near  his  black 
neighbor,  about  four  miles  south  of  where  Ridgeville  now  stands, 
and  he  and  Smith  were  fast  friends  in  their  common  cause  against 
the  red  man. 

In  the  meantime,  the  country  along  the  Mississinewa  had 
rapidly  been  settled.  Jacob  Ward  had  settled  here  and  cleared 
up  a farm,  planted  an  orchard,  and  was  preparing  his  residence, 
the  house  where  Sherman  Brooks  now  lives,  on  the  bank  of  the 
river  just  south  of  town.  The  Llewellyns  had  settled  where  Mrs. 
Elmira  McKew  now  lives,  and  several  other  white  families  had 
settled  along  the  river.  This  did  not  suit  the  Indians;  they  con- 
sidered it  an  encroachment  on  their  hunting  grounds;  conse- 
quently they  were  rather  impudent  and  aggressive,  and  left  no 
opportunity  to  get  up  a quarrel  with  the  whites;  but  the  settlers 
knowing  the  danger  of  getting  into  serious  trouble  with  the  reds, 
had  to  grin  and  bear  it  as  best  they  could.  However,  when  an 
Indian  became  too  abusive,  and  was  considered  dangerous  the 
few  settlers  would  meet  and  talk  the  matter  over  and  soon  there- 
after Jesse  Gray  would  take  one  of  those  periodical  hunts,  and 


270 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


that  particular  bad  Indiah  would  be  missed.  It  was  supposed 
that  lie  had  gone  where  there  was  more  game;  to  the  happy 
hunting  ground  probably;  at  least  he  never  came  back.  I may 
stop  here  to  say,  that  one  of  the  peculiarities  of  these  old  timers 
was,  that  they  never  would  say  plainly  that  they  had  wiped  out 
an  Indian,  but  always  stopped  short  by  saying,  “I  left  the  Indian 
here,”  etc.  I can  only  account  for  this  on  the  ground  that  as  the 
law  was  very  severe  for  killing  a red  man,  they  had  from  necessity 
learned  that  a still  tongue  makes  a wise  head.  I remember  on 
one  occasion  that  Grandfather  Ward  was  telling  me  about  a bad 
insolent  Indian  who  was  a thief,  and  would  rob  every  trap  he 
could  find  with  a mink  or  a coon  in  it,  and  when  he  accused  him 
of  the  theft  he  gotheap  mad  and  swore  in  bad  English  that  he 
would  kill  white  man  who  called  him  thief.  Some  time  after  that 
quarrel  Jacob  told  me  he  was  hunting  on  this  side  of  the  river  up 
about  the  northwest  corner  of  the  corporation  line  now,  when  he 
discovered  this  same  Indian  slipping  through  the  woods.  He  did 
not  think  it  necessary  to  inform  the  Indian  of  his  presence  just 
then,  especially  as  he  saw  the  Indian  take  from  the  trap  a large 
mink;  “but,”  said  Jacob, “he  never  skinned  that  mink,  nor  robbed 
another  trap  for  me  or  any  one  else,”  and  only  a few  years  ago  a 
gun  barrel  was  plowed  up  just  about  the  place  he  described  to 
me,  and  I have  that  same  gun  barrel  in  my  possession  at  present. 
Once  in  talking  with  Grandfather  Ward  about  the  Indian,  I said, 
“well,  grandfather,  I suppose  there  are  some  good  honest  In- 
dians.” “Yes,”  he  said,  and  after  a considerable  pause,  added, 
“dead  ones.”  Indeed,  it  was  generally  understood  that  the  red 
man  was  treacherous  and  when  his  avowals  and  eternal  friendship 
were  the  most  profuse,  then  was  he  the  most  to  be  feared.  But 
had  he  not  even  learned  this  from  his  pale  faced  brother?  Time 
and  again  had  he  not  been  driven  from  his  best  hunting  grounds, 
cheated  out  of  his  best  land,  and  even  his  family  murdered  by  the 
treacherous  white  man?  How  is  it  to-day?  Is  he  not  still 
robbed  and  forced  to  leave  the  land  he  loves,  the  only  home  he 
has  ever  known,  and  then  if  he  happens  to  object  to  this  treat- 
ment and  stand  up  for  his  rights,  does  not  this  big  government 
send  out  a force  of  well  drilled  and  equipped  soldiers  and  slaugh- 
ter them  indiscriminately,  even  to  their  women  and  children? 
As  at  Wounded  Knee,  S.  D.  How  long,  oh  how  long,  will  this 
government  that  boasts  of  the  highest  civilization  on  earth,  stand 
by  and  see  this  terrible  wrong  continued;  How  long  will  it  be 
until  the  Indian,  like  the  buffalo,  will  live  in  history?  But  pardon 
this  digression.  I have  spoken  of  the  family  of  Llewellyn’s,  that 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


271 


lived  where  Mrs.  Almira  McKew  now  lives.  The  head  of  the 
family  was  Meshac  Llewellyn,  and  his  oldest  three  sons,  Shad- 
rach,  Meshac  and  Abednigo,  and  several  younger  sons  and 
daughters.  It  seemed  that  from  some  cause,  probably  from  their 
Wm.  Penn  religion,  Quakers,  they  were  very  friendly  to  the 
Indians,  which  caused  some  of  the  old  settlers  and  especially  the 
Indian  haters  among  them,  to  call  the  Llewellyn’s  Tories.  But 
with  what  reason  I could  not  understand ; but  certainly  it  is,  that 
the  Llewellyn  home  was  a great  place  for  the  Indians  to  assemble 
and  hold  their  pow-wows,  etc.,  and  when  an  Indian  was  seriously 
sick,  or  dangerously  wounded,  he  found  a ready  welcome  at  the 
Lleweelyn’s.  But  notwithstanding  the  friendship  existing  be- 
tween the  Llewellyns  and  the  Indians,  one  of  the  Llewellyn  boys 
shot  and  killed  an  Indian,  among  the  very  first  troubles  that  ex- 
isted between  the  two  races.  It  happened  thus:  It  seems  that 

Shad  Llewellyn  was  a little  off  occasionally  owing  to  some  kind 
of  fits  to  which  he  was  subject,  and  the  Indians  knowing  this, 
would  have  some  fun  with  him  at  his  expense  when  they  would 
catch  him  away  from  home,  although  they  had  repeatedly  been 
told  that  it  was  dangerous  sport  by  the  older  Indians,  and  it  so 
proved  one  day  in  the  fall  hunting  time.  Shad  had  taken  down 
his  flint  lock  from  over  the  door,  picked  the  flint,  and  as  he  was 
returning,  coming  down  the  river  bank  he  saw  two  Indians  on  the 
opposite  side  of  the  river  just  this  side  of  the  Burket  Pierce  farm, 
along  the  high  bluff  bank  which  most  of  my  readers  are  familiar 
with.  The  Indians  concluded  that  would  be  a good  time  to  give 
Shad  a good  scare,  and  they  commenced  jumping  behind  trees 
and  pointing  and  snapping  their  guns  at  him.  It  did  not  take 
Shad  a minute  to  tumble ; he  knew  the  Indian  character  to  a dot, 
and  although  a little  off  in  some  respects,  was  no  coward;  he  also 
took  a tree,  examined  his  gun  to  see  if  she  was  all  right,  and 
waited  for  a shot;  the  Indians  thinking  they  had  scared  him  so 
bad  he  could  not  shoot,  one  of  them  tried  to  get  to  another  tree 
where  he  might  see  better  the  result  of  the  scare.  In  doing  this 
he  exposed  himself  for  a moment,  but  that  moment  was  fatal; 
“bang,”  a wreath  of  smoke  and  a hunter  getting  away  on  the 
other  side  of  the  river  was  what  he  saw  when  he  stepped  out  to 
see  what  had  become  of  his  partner.  Looking  over  a log  a few 
feet  away  there  he  lay  as  dead  as  a clam  with  a bullet  through  his 
heart;  he  soon  gave  the  alarm  and  had  a lot  of  Indians  assembled 
and  buried  him  right  where  he  fell.  Some  of  the  more  war-like 
reds  tried  to  make  trouble  about  it,  but  the  older  men  said  he  had 
only  received  what  he  deserved,  as  he  had  been  warnd  not  to 


272 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


molest  Shad;  and  moreover,  until  this  day  the  Indian  has  a 
supreme  dread  of  having  trouble  with  a person  that  is  insane  or 
queer  in  the  upper  story.  In  proof  of  this  statement  it  is  related 
that  a party  of  six  of  Fremont’s  men,  in  crossing  the  Rocky 
Mountains  on  his  first  trip,  had  got  lost  from  the  main  body  and 
wandered  around  until  their  provisions  were  gone  and  two  of 
them  had  perished  from  starvation  and  exposure,  and  the  rest  had 
given  up  to  die;  they  were  sitting  huddled  around  a few  smoking 
embers,  reduced  to  gibbering  idiots  when  they  were  found  by  a 
body  of  Camanche  Indians,  who  were  the  most  inveterate  enemies 
of  the  whites  and  never  lost  an  opportunity  to  tomahawk  and 
scalp  any  white  man  or  woman  that  fell  into  their  power,  but  on 
discovering  the  condition  of  these  wretched  people  they  not  only 
spared  them,  but  divided  their  dried  buffalo  and  venison  with 
them,  built  them  a fire  and  left  them  to  their  fate,  where  they 
were  found  a few  days  afterwards  by  their  friends  and  restored 
to  life  and  health,  to  kill,  perhaps,  at  some  time  in  the  future  the 
very  men  that  had  spared  them  in  their  great  extremity.  Many 
of  my  readers  will  remember  of  seeing  the  grave  of  Shad 
Llewellyn’s  Indian  about  a mile  or  so  up  the  river,  and  if  any 
should  doubt  the  correctness  of  the  story,  step  into  Dr.  Smith’s 
office  in  Winchester  and  see  the  skeleton  of  that  same  Indian. 


The  times  have  been,  that  when  the  brains  were  out,  the  man 
would  die,  and  there  an  end.  But  now  they  rise  again  with 
twenty  mortal  murders  on -their  crowns. — Macbeth. 

The  killing  of  the  Llewellyn  Indian  brings  us  back  to  the 
shooting  of  Smith,  by  Fleming,  the  devil  of  all  Indians,  and  to 
the  beginning  of  one  of  the  most  thrilling  Indian  adventures  that 
ever  occurred  in  the  Mississinewa  country. 

As  stated  before,  the  negro,  soon  as  he  found  it  safe  and  ad- 
visable, started  off  to  find  and  counsel  his  friend  Gray,  and  when 
at  last  he  did  meet  him  he  told  him  about  his  close  call  from  Flem- 
ing’s and  the  squaw’s  plot  to  murder  him.  He  also  told  him  that 
while  Fleming  breathed  neither  of  their  lives  was  secure  for  an 
hour.  Gray  told  Smith  that  he  was  well  aware  of  the  Indian's 
hatred  of  himself,  and  that  he  was  just  waiting  for  an  opportunity 
to  kill  him  on  sight ; and  in  the  meantime  for  him  (Smith)  to  con- 
ceal himself  in  a certain  thicket  near  his  house,  where  Fleming 
and  the  squaw  were  in  the  habit  of  meeting  and  holding  their 
pow-wows  and  etc.,  etc.,  and  to  be  sure  that  his  gun  was  in  the 
best  of  order  for  sure  fire,  and  when  tlielndian  made  his  appear- 
ance put  a bullet  hole  right  through  his  cowardly  heart.  But  the 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


273 


\ 

\ 


negro  tould  not  see  it  in  that  light,  and  told  Jese  that  he  would 
rather  part  with  the  squaw. 

It  i\  said  that  all  things  come  to  him  who  has  patience  to 
wait.  It  so  proved  in  the  case  of  Gray  and  the  negro.  While 
they  wereywatching  for  an  opportunity  to  do  up  this  bad  Indian 
Fleming,  *n  extra  supply  of  fire  water  and  his  own  devilish 
daring  put  him  in  just  the  right  shape  for  them  to  get  their  long 
sought  revenge. 

As  stated,  Joab  Ward  was  living  on  the  river  bank,  where 
Sherman  Brooks  now  lives,  at  the  south  end  of  the  railroad 
bridge.  Stopping  with  him  was  his  brother-in-law,  Ellis  Kizer, 
father  of  Tom  and  Henry  Kizer,  of  Winchester.  It  so  happened 
on  a warm  daV  in  September,  just  as  the  Ward  family  were  eat- 
ing dinner,  that  a very  unwelcome  guest  in  the  shape  of  an  Indian 
entered  the  house.  It  took  but  one  glance  to  see  that  the  Indian 
was  Fleming,  and  that  he  was  drunk  and  bent  on  mischief.  In 
one  hand  he  carried  a huge  butcher  knife  and  in  the  other  his 
ever  ready  rifle.  The  Wards,  not  desiring  to  have  trouble  with 
him,  asked  him  to  sit  down  and  have  dinner  with  them.  But  this 
did  not  suit  the  mood  of  the  cut-throat,  and  he  demanded 
whiske.  He  was  informed  that  they  had  none  for  him.  Then  he 
wanted  money.  This  too,  he  was  told,  was  an  article  fully  as 
scarce  as  whiskey;  but  all  this  would  not  do;  he  had  come  for 
blood.  When  Joab  began  to  realize  the  serious  and  dangerous 
fix  in  which  they  were  placed,  he  cast  a longing  glance  at  his  rifle 
that  lay  resting  in  its  hooks  over  the  door.  But  the  Indian  was 
on  to  that  glance,  and  placed  himself  between  Joab  and  the  gun, 
and  flourished  his  huge  butcher  knife  in  a manner  that  threatened 
certain  death  to  any  one  who  dared  to  oppose  him.  But  some- 
thing had  to  be  done  and  done  quickly.  Ellis  Kizer,  sitting  on 
the  other  side  of  the  table,  caught  the  longing  glance  of  Joab 
towards  the  gun,  and  as  Joab  jumped  to  his  feet  with  a chair  be- 
tween him  and  the  Indian,  Kizer  went  for  the  gun  ; the  Indian 
seeing  they  were  too  many  for  him  made  a break  for  the  door  and 
the  river.  He  managed  by  running  zigzag  to  keep  Kizer  from 
getting  a bead  on  him  until  he  gained  the  middle  of  the  river 
which  at  that  time  was  a mere  riffle,  but  Kizer  was  a marksman, 
and  notwithstanding  the  difficult  shot  from  the  Indian’s  crooked 
and  fleet  running  he  got  a half  chance  and  fired ; the  Indian  gave 
a whoop,  but  still  kept  on  running.  It  so  happened  by  the  In- 
dian’s leg  being  raised  the  shot  took  effect  in  the  heel  and  ranging 
upward  came  out  near  the  knee,  making  a severe  flesh  wound, 
but  breakjng  no  bones;  it  made  him  terribly  sick,  and  when  he 


274 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


reached  the  mouth  of  the  little  creek  that  runs  through  the  west 
part  of  town  and  flows  into  the  river  just  this  side  of  .he  rock 
dam,  he  was  compelled  to  lay  down. 

Now  it  is  astonishing  how  soon  the  news  reached  Jesse  Gray 
that  the  very  Indian  above  all  others  that  he  wished  to  meet  had 
had  been  shot  at  Wards,  and  had  run  down  the  river,  and  in  less 
than  two  hours  Gray  was  seen  to  take  his  track  at  the  bank  of  the 
river  and  follow  it,  which  he  had  no  trouble  in  doing,  by  the 
blood  left  on  the  leaves  as  the  wounded  Indian  ran.  The  Indian 
in  the  meantime  had  managed  to  tear  off  a piece  of  his  hunting 
shirt  and  by  twisting  it  around  his  leg  had  stopped  the  flow  of 
blood.  Of  course  he  rather  expected  to  be  followed  and  man- 
aged to  conceal  himself  in  a clump  of  bushes,  where  he  was  laying 
to  give  a warm  reception  to  any  one  who  might  be  on  his  trail; 
and  by  being  so  well  concealed  he  expected  to  get  the  first 
shot,  but  he  little  dreamed  that  his  worst  dreaded  foe,  and  one  he 
had  more  reason  to  fear  than  all  others,  and  one  more  cunning 
in  woodcraft  than  even  himself,  and  one  whom  he  well  knew 
thirsted  for  his  blood,  was  even  then  on  his  trail.  It  so  happened 
that  each  discovered  the  other  about  the  same  time,  and  as  Gray 
raised  his  gun  tp  fire  it  seemed  as  if  the  Indian  lost  all  his  boasted 
bravery  and  resorted  to  flight  rather  than  fight.  He  commenced 
rolling  over  and  over  like  a log  until  he  reached  a tree,  and  before 
Gray  could  fire  he  had  jumped  behind  it.  The  most  of  hunters 
would  have  waited  patiently  for  him  to  show  himself  or  make  a 
break  for  another  tree;  but  Gray  was  too  smart  to  be  beaten  by 
this  kind  of  a trick;  he  immediately  changed  his  position  off  to 
one  side  and  discovered  the  Indian  crawling  close  to  the  ground 
and  getting  away  as  fast  and  as  quietly  as  a serpent,  and  so 
very  unsteady  were  his  motions  that  it  was  almost  impossible  to 
get  a good  shot;  but  Jesse  knew  that  the  Indian’s  object  was  to 
draw  his  fire,  and  if  he  missed,  before  he  could  load  again  the 
Indian  would  have  him  at  a disadvantage.  So  he  seen  he  would 
have  to  force  the  fight.  He  made  a break  for  the  red  man,  and 
this  too,  the  Indian  was  prepared  for,  and  he  again  started  on  a 
run ; always  managing  to  keep  a tree  between  him  and  Gray,  and 
when  he  did  expose  himself  he  would  run  from  side  to  side,  mak- 
ing a line  like  a rail  fence;  but  the  superior  skill  of  the  white  man 
was  too  much  for  him.  Gray  stopped  short,  threw  his  gun  to 
his  shoulder,  and  before  the  Indian  could  get  behind  another  tree, 
he  fired.  The  Indian  gave  a bound  up  in  the  air  and  fell  flat  on 
his  face.  Gray  did  not  stop  to  see  the  effect  of  his  shot,  but  pre- 
suming he  had  killed  him  stone  dead,  he  reloaded  his  gun  and  re- 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


275 


turned  home,  told  the  negro  their  mutual  enemy  was  at  last  be- 
yond doing  either  of  them  any  more  harm,  for  him  to  keep  posted 
when  thd  officers  of  the  law  got  on  his  track,  bade  his  family  a 
hasty  farewell,  and  started  for  Wayne  County,  thinking  that  in  a 
few  months  at  least  the  trouble  would  have  blown  over  and  he 
could  return  home  on  the  Mississinewa. 

It  may)  well  be  imagined  what  was  his  surprise  about  four 
weeks  after  ^ie  shooting  of  Fleming  to  see  the  darkey  at  his  door 
with  his  eyes  fairly  bulging  out  and  trembling  like  he  had  the 
ague.  “WhA  Smith,  -what’s  the  matter?”  said  Jesse.  “Oh,  I 
done  tole  you,  Mr.  Gray,  dat  Injun  Fleming  got  already  done 
killed;  he  a’int  killed  at  all,  and  dem  Llewellyn’s  got  him  up  dar 
to  de  house,  and  sent  away  off  and  got  a big  medicine  man,  and 
when  he  come  he  look  at  dat  Injun  mighty  sorry,  and  den  he  tuck 
a silk  handkerchief  an  he  put  de  end  in  dat  bullet  hole,  an  he 
takes  a ramrod  an  he  punched  dat  handkerchief  clar  through  dat 
Injun,  an  den  he  put  that  handkerchife  to  him  nose  an  smell  it, 
an  fore  de  Lord,  Mr.  Gray,  he  say  good  Injun  get -well;  and  Jesse 
.Gray  an  dis  nigger  had  better  look  out  or  leab  de  country.” 

After  Gray  had  heard  Smith  to  the  end  of  his  story  he  asked 
him  what  he  intended  to  do  about  it.  This  was  a stunner  to  the 
poor  darkey,  and  he  scratched  his  woolly  head  a moment  and 
said,  “why,  dat’s  just  zactly  what  I cum  to  see  you  for,  Mr.  Gray; 
dars  one  thing  mighty  powerful  sure,  somebody  has  got  to  kill 
dat  Injun;  he  seems  to  hab  as  many  lives  as  a cat.”  “Well,” 
said  Gray,  wanting  to  have  a little  fun  with  the  darkey;  “will  you 
undertake  to  finish  him  before  he  gets  well  and  kills  us  both?” 
“Oh,  Lordy,  Mr.  Gray,  I neber  could  kill  dat  Injun;  he  entirely 
to  smart  for  dis  nigger,  an  he  dun  kill  me  fore  I git  my  gun  off 
my  shoulder.”  It  was  finally  arranged  that  if  Gray  would  go 
with  the  nigger  to  the  Llewellyn  house  and  protect  him  from 
harm  he  (Smith)  would  shoot  the  Indian  without  fail.  The 
price  to  be  paid  Gray  for  going  along  and  seeing  fair  play  was 
a grubbing  hoe,  two  bars  of  lead,  and  three  gun  flints.  The 
next  Saturday  was  set  down  for  the  time,  and  how  well  they  suc- 
ceeded in  the  undertaking  will  apear  in  the  next  chapter. 

j — 

Lady  M. — Are  you  a man? 

Macbeth — Ay,  and  a bold  one  that  dare  look  on  that  which 
might  apall  the  devil. — Shakespear. 

As  agreed  upon,  on  the  next  Saturday  Gray  and  the  darkey 
met  and  decided  to  immediately  start  on  their  somewhat  uncer- 
tain and  dangero’us  undertaking  of  killing  Fleming.  On  this 


276 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


occasion  there  was  to  be  no  mistake;  that  devlish  cut-throat  In- 
dian had  to  die,  or  each  of  them  lay  down  their  lives  in  the  at- 
tempt. Gray  was  to  take  the  lead,  and  when  they  once  got  into 
the  room  where  the  Indian  lay,  Smith  was  to  do  the  shooting. 
Gray  told  Smith  to  follow  right  in  his  footsteps,  but  not  to  make  a 
motion,  or  to  speak  a word  only  when  he  was  told  to  do  so. 
About  the  time  they  were  ready  to  start  the  darkey  began  to  re- 
pent of  his  rashness.  Gray  turned  on  him  with  a look  fairly 
paralyzing  him,  and  told  him  if  he  did  not  stand  right  up  to  the 
work  and  do  just  as  he  bade  him,  he  would  blow  his  head  off. 
This  settled  the  poor  darkey,  as  it  was  sure  death  if  he  backed 
out.  The  two  men  of  different  color  started  on  a mission  of 
blood,  to  wipe  from  the  face  of  the  earth  a man  of  still  another 
race  and  color  from  either  of  them.  When  they  reached  the 
Llewellyn  home  it  was  just  after  supper.  Gray  placed  the  negro 
behind  a tree  while  he  went  forward  to  reconoiter,  and  the  sight 
that  greeted  him  was  well  calculated  to  appall  a stouter  heart 
than  his.  Seated  on  the  grass  in  the  shade  of  the  forest  trees 
that  surrounded  the  house,  were  six  or  eight  stalwart  Indians, 
who,  after  the  excitement  of  the  day’s  hunt,  were  smoking  their 
pipes  and  telling  to  each  other  the  adventures  of  the  day,  all  un- 
mindful of  the  presence  of  the  man  they  dreaded  more  than  all 
the  rest  of  their  white  neighbors  combined.  As  usual  they  had 
placed  their  guns  in  the  house,  not  needing  them  until  the 
morrow.  Gray  returned  to  Smith  and  told  him  to  follow  directly 
in  his  foot-steps,  and  on  pain  of  instant  death,  to  neither  speak 
nor  show  signs  of  fear. 

Before  the  Indians  had  time  to  realize  what  was  happening 
Gray  and  the  negro  were  standing  right  in  the  path  that  led  to 
the  house,  and  between  them  and  their  guns.  One  or  two  of 
them  started1  to  rise,  but  Gray,  by  a single  motion  of  the  hand 
and  without  speaking  a word,  bade  them  stay  right  where  they 
were  if  they  wished  to  live,  and  they  obeyed  without  a murmur. 
All  this  time  the  darkey  was  stepping  on  Gray’s  heels,  and  his 
teeth  were  chattering  like  a buzz  saw.  A few  hasty  steps  brought 
them  to  the  door  of  the  wounded  Indian.  Mrs.  Llewellyn, 
knowing  Gray  well,  at  once  defined  his  mission  and  tried  to  bar 
their  way,  but  Gray  as  quietly  pushed  her  aside  and  they  entered. 
She  commenced  remonstrating  and  positively  forbid  them  shed- 
ding blood  in  her  house.  Gray  told  her  in  language  more  em- 
phatic than  polite,  that  they  had  come  to  kill  the  Indian,  and  if 
powder  would  burn  they  would  do  it;  if  she  did  not  wish  to  see 
the  tragedy  she  had  better  retire.  This  she  positively  refused  to 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


277 


\ 

do.  Then  Gray  took  her  by  the  arm  and  pushed  her  out  and 
barred  the  door.  All  this  time  the  Indians  lay  there  eyeing 
them  as  coolly  as  if  they  had  no  interest  in  the  matter  wahtever. 
After  the  woman  was  out  of  the  room,  Gray  turned  to  the  negro 
and  told  him  to  do  his  business,  but  he  might  as  well  have  talked 
to  a stump.  The  darkey  stood  there  with  his  eyes  bulged  out, 
and  his  complexion  in  a few  minutes  turned  from  a black  to  a 
shade  whiter  than  Gray  himself;  his  knees  were  knocking  to- 
gether, his  teeth  rattled  and  in  fact  he  had  a terrible  attack  of 
buck  ague.  He  could  not  raise  the  hammer  of  the  gun  to  save 
his  life;  and  when  he  went  to  raise  the  gun  to  his  shoulder  he  took 
it  by  the  wrong  end.  Gray  seeing  he  was  more  apt  to  kill  him- 
self than  the  Indian,  gave  the  poor  fellow  one  withering  glance  of 
contempt,  and  stepping  to  the  bed  on  which  the  wounded  red 
man  lay,  told  him  he  could  have  one  minute  in  which  to  make 
peace  with  the  Great  Spirit.  The  Indian  answered  by  a defiant 
look  and  drew  the  blanket  over  his  head.  Gray  placed  the  muz- 
zle of  the  gun  within  two  feet  of  the  Indian’s  forehead  and  fired. 
The  blood  and  brains  spattered  the  ceiling  overhead  and  Flem- 
ing, the  thief  and  murderer,  had  started  on  the  voyage  to  the 
happy  hunting  grounds. 

At  the  crack  of  the  gun  some  of  the  Indians  on  the  outside 
got  up  and  peered  through' the  cracks  to  see  what  was  going  on, 
but  none  of  them  attempted  to  get  their  guns.  After  the  shot 
that  settled  Fleming,  Gray  stepped  to  the  fire  place,  took  out  his 
pipe,  filled  it  with  tobacco,  lighted  it,  and  after  giving  the  darkey 
a meaning  look  as  much  as  to  say,  “If  you  dare  to  run  I’ll  kill 
you,”  stepped  out  and  coolly  walked  away,  with  the  darkey 
almost  stepping  on  his  heels.  Not  an  Indian  spoke  a word  or 
made  a movement  to  get  up.  The  two  kept  up  this  moderate 
gait  until  they  got  down  the  little  hill  and  just  out  of  sight,  when 
Gray  turned  to  the  negro  and  said,  “Now  if  you  value  your  life, 
run  for  it,”  and  run  they  did.  Gray  said,  in  telling  this  adventure, 
“I  never  saw  the  Indian  that  could  outrun  me,  but  with  the 
darkey  I was  nowhere;  and  every  now  and  then  he  had  to  stop 
and  wait  till  I caught  up,  for  he  was  too  badly  scared  to  run 
alone.” 

They  finally  reached  Gray’s  house  after  a run  of  four  or  five 
miles.  After  they  had  something  to  eat,  Gray  said,  “now  to- 
night them  Indians  will  attack  us,  so  we  will  prepare  to  receive 
them.”  So  they  fortified  the  house  as  best  they  could,  moulded 
all  the  lead  about  the  house  into  bullets,  picked  the  flints  and  sat 
down  to  wait.  At  this  time  Gray’s  oldest  boy  could  handle  a gun 


278 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


by  taking  a rest  off  a log  or  fence,  and  it  was  arranged  that  this 
boy  should  conceal  himself  behind  the  bars  that  crossed  the  lane 
that  ran  up  to  the  house  and  when  an  Indian  made  his  appear- 
ance, he  was  to  fire  at  him  and  run  for  the  house,  ' 1 ere  the  door 
would  be  left  ajar  for  him,  and  when  safely  inside  they  would  be 
prepared  to  stand  a siege  for  several  days.  The  boy  had  not 
waited  for  more  than  an  hour  or  so  when  up  trotted  an  Indian 
dog.  The  boy  ran  to  tell  his  father  about  the  dog.  “Now  go 
back,”  said  Gray,  “and  keep  a sharp  lookout,  for  the  dog  shows 
that  they  are  coming,  and  if  they  find  that  we  are  prepared  for 
them  they  will  not  be  anxious  to  tackle  us.”  The  boy  was  armed 
with  an  old  flint  lock  musket  loaded  with  buckshot,  a gun  that 
had  done  duty  at  Fort  Recovery.  The  boy  had  only  time  to  con- 
ceal himself,  when  bang  went* the  old  musket  and  the  boy  went 
tumbling  into  the  house  heels  over  head.  “I  gave  it  to  one  In- 
dian, dad,  sure;  I seen  him  fall  and  heard  him  grunt.’  The  men 
peered  out  at  the  loop  holes  in  the  cabin  and  looking  every  min- 
ute to  see  an  Indian  slipping  up  on  the  house.  But  daylight  came 
without  the  sign  of  an  Indian.  The  men  finally  ventured  out 
cautiously,  fearing  the  cunning  Indians  might  have  a trap  laid  for 
them.  They  went  to  the  bars  where  the  boy  had  fired  the  musket 
and  instead  of  a dead  Indian,  there  lay  a yearling  calf  perforated 
with  twenty  buckshot.  As  the  old  man  told  this  story  he  laughed 
till  he  had  to  hold  his  sides.  “The  worst  of  it  was,”  said  he,  “it 
was  the  only  animal  on  the  place,  and  I could  never  get  that  boy 
to  talk  about  fighting  Indians  after  that.  But  there  is  no  doubt 
that  the  shot  warned  the  reds  that  we  were  ready  for  them  and 
saved  us  a fight,  and  maybe  our  lives.” 

It  is  needless  to  say  that  after  the  killing  ofFleming,  the  cut- 
throat Indian,  Gray  and  the  negro  had  to  lay  pretty  low  for  a 
while.  They  took  a trip  south,  to  Gray’s  old  stamping  grounds 
in  Wayne  County,  and  allowed  the  affair  to  blow  over.  It  was 
while  Gray  and  Smith  were  taking  this  lay  off  that  Gray  received 
the  word -from  Mississinewa  country  that  the  famous  Indian 
marksman  and  hunter,  Pequannah,  which  in  the  Indian  language 
signifies  dead  or  sure  shot  with  the  rifle,  was  going  on  his  trail 
and  would  never  rest  until  he  had  avenged  the  death  of  Fleming 
by  killing  Gray  and  the  negro.  Gray  was  well  acquainted  with 
this  celebrated  warrior,  having  frequently  met  him  at  the  shoot- 
ing matches  of  the  Indians  and  settlers,  where  Pequannah  was 
sure  to  carry  away  a big  load  of  beef  and  furs  and  other  traps 
that  wer  put  up  and  shot  for.  He  also  knew~  that  he  had  a foeman 
worthy  of  his  steel  in  this  Indian,  but  he  lost  no  time  in  this, 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


279 


accepting  the  Indian’s  challenge  and  sent  the  Indian  word  that 
before  three  moons  he  would  hang  Pequannah’s  scalp  to  his  belt. 

Now  commenced  one  of  the  most  exciting,  most  daring  still 
hunts  that  ever  occurred;  the  hunt  to  be  to  the  death,  and  it  was 
diamond  cut  diamond;  the  superior  skill  and  daring  bravery  of 
the  white  man  against  the  equally  skillful  and  more  cunning  red 
man.  Gray  put  his  gun  in  the  best  of  order  and  started  for  the 
Mississinewa.  While  he  did  his  best  to  keep  from  being  seen  by 
any  one  it  was  almost  impossible  to  do  so,  and  of  course  the 
Indian  was  speedily  informed  that  the  terror  of  all  the  Indians, 
Jesse  Gray,  was  in  the  county  and  thirsting  for  his  blood.  The 
Indian  was  just  as  anxious  as  Gray  for  the  combat  that  must 
come  sooner  or  later;  for  he  would  gain  more  honor  by  killing 
Gray  than  twenty  other  white  men;  so  day  after  day  these  two 
men  hunted,  each  bent  on  shedding  the  blood  of  the  other.  Days 
lengthened  into  months  and  yet  neither  had  gained  the  oportunity 
sought.  The  fatest  bear  or  deer  might  have  crossed  the  path  of 
either  in  safety,  as  the  crack  of  a rifle  would  warn  the  foe  of  the 
whereabouts  of  his  enemy,  or  any  Indian  might  pass  right  under 
the  tree  in  which  the  white  hunter  was  concealed  and  never  know 
how  near  he  was  to  the  man  thirsting  for  the  blood  of  one  of  his 
tribe.  The  Indian  was  pursuing  exactly  the  same  tactics.  Jesse 
Gray  was  the  only  white  man  he  was  looking  for.  Nearly  three 
months  had  elapsed  since  these  two  men  started  on  the  war  path, 
and  so  terribly  cautious  was  each,  they  never  had  a glimpse  of 
one  another. 

It  was  about  the  middle  of  the  afternoon,  on  a very  hot  and 
sultry  day  in  September,  when  the  climax  came.  Many  of  my 
readers  will  remember  a beautiful  clear,  cool  spring  just  a few 
rods  above  the  old  lime  kilns  and  near  the  southwest  corner  of  the 
river  cemetery  and  southeast  corner  of  the  corporation  line. 
Even  as  late  as  twenty-five  years  ago,  the  spring  was  cared  for, 
and  was  a favorite  place  to  get  a cool,  refreshing  drink  on  a sum- 
mer Sunday  afternoon,  or  when  on  a fishing  tour.  A beautiful 
wild  crabapple  tree  leaned  over  and  formed  a complete  shade 
for  the  spring,  and  in  the  early  spring  the  fragrance  of  its  magni- 
ficent white  blossoms  was  a rare  treat,  indeed.  I believe  the 
spring  is  now  relegated  to  innocuous  dessuetude.  On  the  south 
side  of  the  rive  and  opposite  this  spring  Gray  had  climbed  into  the 
thick  branches  of  a large  spreading  oak,  which  position  placed 
him  about  one  hundred  yards  from  the  spring.  He  wisely  con- 
cluded that  some  time  during  the  day  the  Indian  would  come  to 


28o 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


that  spring  for  a drink,  the  day  being  extremely  hot  and  dry. 
His  theory  was  correct. 

) * 

When  Greek  meets  Greek  then  comes  the  tug  of  war. 

He  had  been  concealed  among  the  branches  for  several  hours 
and  was  getting  very  tired,  and  had  about  made  up  his  mind  to 
climb  down  and  give  up  the  hunt  for  that  day,  when  his  trained 
eye  caught  sight  of  a peculiar  movement  in  the  thicket  some  two 
hundred  yards  below  the  spring,  and  on  that  side  of  the  river. 
He  watched  closely,  and  in  a few  minutes  saw  an  Indian  emerge 
from  the  thicket.  He  knew  at  a glance  that  it  was  an  Indian,  but 
was  not  sure  at  first  that  it  was  the  game  he  was  hunting,  as  al- 
ready two  whites  and  one  Indian  had  drank  at  the  spring  since  he 
had  climbed  into  the  tree.  But  it  was  Pequannah.  He  noted 
every  motion  of  that  Indian,  and  the  time  it  took  him  to  get  to 
that  spring  showed  the  extreme  caution  of  the  man.  He  stepped 
as  lightly  as  a cat,  and  every  bush  that  barred  his  way  he  put 
aside  without  creating  the  least  sound.  Every  time  he  stopped, 
it  was  behind  a tree  large  enough  to  conceal  the  body  from  an 
enemy  in  front,  and  there  he  would  stand  for  several*  minutes  as 
silent  and  motionless  as  the  sphinx,  scanning  every  bush  and  tree 
with  the  practiced  eye  of  the  born  woodsman.  Once  when  within 
about  one  hundred  yards  of  the  spring  he  stopped  as  usual  be- 
hind a tree,  and  for  many  minutes  his  eye  seemed  to  rest  on  the 
identical  tree  in  which  Gray  was  concealed.  It  seemed  as  if  the 
untutored  savage  instinctively  scented  danger.  He  stood  and 
gazed  so  long  in  that  direction  that  the  white  hunter  thought  that 
he  must  surely  be  discovered.  The  distance  was  too  great  for 
anything  like  a dead  shot,  but  he  was  at  last  relieved  by  seeing 
the  Indian  step  behind  the  tree  and  cautiously  move  toward  the 
spring.  Never  for  one  moment  did  Gray  allow  his  eye  to  wander 
from  that  wiry  form,  gliding  through  the  bushes  with  the  stillness 
of  the  panther  approaching  his  prey.  It  seemed  to  Gray  that  the 
Indian  would  never  reach  the  spring,  so  cautious  and  slow  were 
his  movements.  All  this  time  Gray  sat  with  his  back  resting 
against  the  body  of  the  tree  with  his  gun  resting  on  a limb  and 
pointing  directly  to  the  spring.  Of  course  he  did  not  dare  to 
move  a muscle,  nor  change  the  position  of  his  gun,  for  well  he 
knew  that  the  practical  eye  of  the  wily  foe  he  had  to  deal  with 
would  detect  the  least  motion  he  might  make,  and  in  a second  of 
time  spoil  the  only  chance  and  advantage  he  had  been  months  in 
securing.  But  he  was  equal  to  the  task.  Not  a single  motion 
did  he  make.  Slowly,  cautiously,  the  Indian  approached  the 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


281 


spring;  so  fearful  of  an  ambush  we  he,  that  instead  of  leaving  his 
gun  against  a tree  as  usual  while  he  drank,  he  laid  down  with  his 
right  hand  clutching  the  gun.  As  he  lay  there  drinking,  if  a line 
had  been  drawn  from  the  pupil  of  Gray’s  eye  through  the  notch 
of  the  rear  sight  and  over  the  front  head  of  his  gun,  that  line 
would  have  intersected  a spot  directly  over  the  Indian’s  heart. 

The  clear,  sharp  crack  of  a rifle,  reverberating  up  and  down 
the  palcid  waters  of  the  Mississinewa,  a wreath  of  smoke  curling 
up  high  above  the  top  branches  of  the  majestic  oak,  until  lost  in 
the  mist  of  the  blue  dome  above.  A white  hunter  sitting  rigid, 
with  his  back  agaiiist  the  tree,  with  a face  ghastly  pale,  and  his 
eager  eye  intently  riveted  on  the  form  of  an  Indian  at  the  spring 
across  the  river,  and  Pequannah’s  spirit,  if  he  had  any,  had  started 
to  join  his  fathers,  and  face  the  grand  sachem  in  the  sweet  re- 
motely, or  the  red  man’s  happy  hunting  ground,  where  he  might 
smoke  his  kinnicanick  and  join  in  the  beautiful  esthetic  ghost 
dance,  where  no  pale  face  hunter  or  United  States  troops  dare 
molest  or  make  him  afraid.  When  the  gun  cracked  the  Indian 
clutched  his  rifle,,  whirled  over  on  his  back  and  made  one  last 
dying  effort  to  get  his  gun  to  his  shoulder,  but  the  effort  was  in 
vain ; he  gave  one  spasmodic  gasp  and  fell  back  dead.  The  ball 
had  pierced  his  heart.  Alas,  poor  Lo,  he  had  at  least  died  with 
his  face  toward  his  enemy.  We  all  listened  to  hear  the  old  man 
say  that  he  either  did  or  did  not  kill  the  Indian,  but  the  old  man 
simply  said,  “Pequannah  was  still  lying  there  drinking  when  I 
climbed  down  from  the  tree  and  started  for  Wayne  County,  and 
I never  saw  him  again.”  But  a little  mound  near  the  spring,  still 
visible  forty  years  ago,  tells  the  story. 

I should  have  said  in  a previous  chapter  that  there  was  two> 
other  Indians  with  Fleming  when  he  went  to  the  house  of  Joab 
Ward  at  the  time  Fleming  was  shot  by  Kizer,  and  things  looked 
extremely  blue  for  Joab  and  the  rest  of  the  settlers,  as  thre  was 
a camp  of  fiv  or  six  hundred  Indians  down  the  river  on  what  is 
now  known  as  the  Kitselman  farm.  Joab  and  Kizer  well  knew 
that  if  these  Indians  got  an  exaggerated  and  one  sided  account  of 
the  shooting  and  took  it  into  their  heads  to  go  on  the  war  path, 
not  a man,  woman  or  child  of  the  pale  faces  in  the  settlement 
would  be  spared.  So  when  Joab  saw  the  two  Indians  start  west 
for  the  camp  on  the  run  he  halted  them  and  told  them  to  come 
back  and  hear  what  he  had  to  say.  They  did  not  want  to  stop, 
and  kept  on  increasing  their  speed,  but  when  Joab  threw  his 
trusty  rifle  to  his  shoulder  and  looked  rather  longingly  in  their 
direction,  they  immediately  changed  their  minds  and  returned. 


282 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY 


The  first  thing  the  white  men  did  was  to  disarm  the  two  Indians, 
and  then  Joab  spoke  to  them  in  substance  about  as  follows: 
“Now  go  to  your  friends  and  tell  them  the  exact  truth  about  the 
shooting  as  you  know  it  to  be.  Say  to  them  we  have  always 
been  their  friends,  have  kept  faith  with  them,  and  have  always 
treated  them  like  brothers.  As  you  well  know,  we  were  com- 
pelled to  shoot  Fleming  or  lose  our  own  lives.  Tell  them  to  come 
and  get  Fleming  and  if  he  is  dead,  bury  him;  and  if  alive,  take 
him  and  take  care  of  him.  Tell  them  to  come  unarmed,  not  to 
bring  a single  gun,  or  there  will  be  serious  trouble;  and  after  you 
have  taken  care  of  Fleming  come  and  get  your  guns.”  So  the  two 
braves  started,  and  it  seems  as  if  they  delivered  the  message,  for 
about  sundown  six  or  eight  stalwart  Indians  came  up,  finding 
Fleming  still  alive  lying  where  Gray  had  left  him,  picked  him  up, 
and  as  already  stated,  took  him  to  the  Llewellyn  residence.  I had 
also  forgotten  the  fact  that  Gray  and  the  negro  went  to  the  house 
of  Joab  Ward  on  the  day  they  shot  Fleming  at  the  Llewellyns, 
presumably  to  get  Joab  to  go  along  and  to  share  in  the  glory, 
but  Aunt  Amy,  as  she  was  familiarly  called,  told  them  that  Joab 
was  not  in  and  she  could  not  tell  when  he  would  return,  which 
Joel  thinks  a little  white  pardonable  “fib.”  Many  times  in  after 
years  he  said  to  his  father,  “as  a matter  of  fact  was  thee  not,  at 
that  very  time,  concealed  somewhere  in  the  house?”  which  ques- 
tion caused  the  old  gentleman  to  begin  to  look  for  bees  and  ob- 
serve rather  hastily  that  it  was  high  time  to  be  at  work  in  the 
cornfield.  Thus  it  was  with  all  these  old  settlers,  they  would  tell 
you  an  interesting  story  of  early  adventure  but  always  leave  some- 
thing to  guess  at,  and  the  moment  you  would  begin  to  question 
them  they  would  break  off  abruptly  and  change  the  subject. 

Before  we  say  good  bye  to  our  old  friend  and  hero,  Jesse 
Gray,  we  will  give  an  instance  or  two  of  the  terrible  dread  the 
red  man  had  of  the  famous  white  hunter.  Gray  had  found  ex- 
cellent hunting  ground  on  the  Loblolly  about  twenty-five  miles 
north  of  the  Mississinewa,  where  at  the  mouth  of  a little  creek 
emptying  into  the  Loblolly,  he  had  established  his  camp  and 
where  every  fall  with  a few  congenial  spirits,  he  repaired  to  take 
his  annual  hunt.  The  Indians,  too,  had  discovered  this  rich  hunt- 
ing ground  and  had  built  several  camps,  and  every  autumn  some 
six  or  eight  braves  and  their  squaws  and  papooses  camped  there 
and  killed  their  winter  venison  and  trapped  a large  amount  of 
fur.  This  arrangement  did  not  suit  Gray,  of  course,  and  he 
warned  them  to  pull  up  stakes  and  get  away  from  there.  This 
the  Indians  refused  to  do,  contending,  and  with  reason,  too, 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


283 


they  had  as  much  right  to  hunt  there  as  the  white  man.  And  as 
Gray  had  wiped  out  the  last  Indian  that  had  anything  to  do  with 
the  murdering  of  his  family  and  as  the  law  was  getting  more  and 
more  severe  for  the  killing  of  Indians,  he  concluded  to  resort  to 
stratagem,  and  if  that  failed  he  would  try  something  else. 

Talk  of  your  sign  language.  One  frosty  morning,  when  the 
red  men  arose  at  the  peep  of  day  to  start  out  on  the  day’s  hunt, 
the  chief  of  the  band  was  noticed  to  halt  abruptly  and  intently 
scan  some  peculiarly  mark  he  noticed  on  a tree  about  one  hun- 
dred yards  from  the  camp.  After  gazing  for  some  time  at  the 
mark  he  called  the  other  braves  to  him  and  explained  something 
to  them  that  caused  them  to  retrace  their  steps  and  to  immedi- 
ately begin  to  pack  their  traps  and  prepare  for  a journey.  In 
the  meantime  the  chief  continued  his  investigation  and  this  is 
what  he  discovered:  There  were  six  camps  and  six  braves,  and 

in  six  trees  there  was  a little  notch  cut  with  a shary  tomahawk, 
and  in  each  notch  there  was  a bullet  and  a load  of  powder.  It  is 
needless  to  say  the  Indians  understood  this  language  better  than 
they  would  the  plainest  English  or  their  own  Miami  tongue.  At 
least  it  had  the  desired  effect,  for  about  the  meridian  of  that  day 
six  braves,  with  their  rifles  on  their  shoulders  and  six  squaws,, 
with  their  six  papooses,  and  the  tents,  furs  and  pelts  strapped  on 
their  backs,  stood  in  single  or  Indian  file,  with  their  faces  turned 
toward  the  setting  sun,  awaiting  the  command  of  the  chief.  It 
came  in  the  single  word  Puccachee. 

\ 

Wizards  know  their  times;  deep  night,  dark  night,  the  silent 
of  the  night,  the  time  of  night  when  Troy  was  set  on  fire;  the 
time  when  screech  owls  cry,  and  ban  dogs  howl,  and  ghosts 
break  up  their  graves. — King  Henry  VI. 

Puccachee,  in  the  Indian  language  means  forward,  march! 
Git  up  and  git!  Skedaddle!  Vamoose  the  ranch!  So  the  six 
warriors,  six  squaws,  and  six  papooses  started  west  to  find  a 
more  congenial  hunting  ground.  Before  the  next  autumn’s 
hunting  season  came  around  all  the  camps  on  that  creek  were 
burned  to  the  ground.  No  one  knew  who  did  it,  but  the  strong 
presumption  was  that  Jesse  Gray  knew  something  about  it;  and 
to  this  day  that  creek  is  known  as  burnt  camp  creek,  and  it  was 
while  camped  on  the  banks  of  that  creek,  in  company  with  Jesse 
Gray,  my  father,  elder  brother,  Uncle  Joe  and  several  others, 
that  I heard  many  of  the  thrilling  adventures  which  are  related 
in  the  “reminiscences”  from  Jesse  Gray  himself,  the  great  hunter 
and  Indian  slayer  and  noblest  Roman  of  them  all.  It  was  while 
encamped  here  with  Gray,  my  father  and  many  others,  that  oc- 


284 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


curred  one  of  those  peculiar  and  to  this  day  laughable  incidents 
that  so  vividly  illustrates  the  superstition  of  the  hunter  of  that  day, 
and  in  fact  may  still  be  found  with  many  hunters,  actors  and 
gamblers  of  the  present  time.  My  father  was  an  old  Virginia 
Dutchman,  and  as  full  of  dreams,  sighs  and  tokens  as  an  egg  is 
of  meat,  and  the  rest  of  the  party  were  much  like  him  in  that  re- 
spect. Father  was  always  recognized  as  the  Grand  Sachem  or 
boss  of  the  party,  and  it  being  necessary  for  Gray  to  go  home  for 
a few  days  to  attend  to  some  urgent  business,  after  which  he 
would  join  us  and  finish  up  the  hunt.  As  he  shouldered  his  gun 
just  at  the  peep  o’  day  he  turned  to  my  father  and  said:  “Now 

Lew,  if  an  old  devil  and  wizard  named  Harshish  should  come 
here  in  my  absence,  which  he  is  almost  sure  to  do,  don't  under 
any  circumstances  give  him  anything,  for  if  you  do  he  will  spell 
your  guns,  and  you  will  not  hit  another  deer  this  hunt.”  With 
this  parting  injunction  the  old  man  took  his  leave.  After  Gray 
left  some  of  the  party  laughed  rather  lightly  at  the  old  man's 
warning,  but  the  most  of  them  considered  it  more  seriously.  My 
brother,  Jim,  who  was  considered  the  best  hunter  in  the  party, 
concluded  that  he  knew  more  about  “spelling”  guns  than  father, 
Gray  or  any  one  else,  and  said  that  the  idea  that  a gun  could  be 
“spelled”  was  too  absured  to  be  talked  of  for  a moment,  and  if  he 
was  at  the  camp  when  Harshish  called  he  would  give  him  the 
whole  camp  just  to  show  them  that  they  were  all  superstitious 
lunatics.  But  Jim  changed  his  mind  before  thirty-six  hours  had 
passed.  It  was  about  four  o’clock  in  the  evening  of  the  day  that 
Gray  left  for  home;  I,  a boy  of  twelve  or  thereabout,  and  the 
camp  keeper  of  the  party,  was  stirring  the  fire  preparatory  to 
setting  on  the  coffee  pot  and  hanging  over  the  blazing  logs  the 
dinner  pot,  well  filled  with  young  venison.  I was  startled  by 
an  apparition  of,  well  I will  not  say  a man,  yet  it  was  a living, 
moving,  breathing  animal  of  the  genuine  homo.  I would  like, 
if  possible,  to  describe  that  singular  looking  being  for  the  reader, 
but  alas  the  pen  is  unequal  to  the  task,  and  I pause  dumbfounded, 
not  knowing  where  to  begin  or  what  to  say;  nay,  not  even  the 
hasty  little  kodak  of  to-day  could  catch  him,  so  uncertain  were  his 
movements,  so  restless  his  motions,  so  glittering  and  piercing  his 
little  deep-sunken  eyes ; indeed,  he  was  one  that  might  well  appall 
the  devil,  and  what  of  a twelve  year  old  boy?  I presume  that  had 
it  not  been  that  Gray’s  description  had  prepared  me  for  such  a 
sight,  these  “reminiscences”  would  never  have  been  written,  and 
yet  I had  as  much  grit  as  the  average  boy  of  that  day  and  age.  I 
assure  you  that  his  greeting  was  not  calculated  to  nerve  me,  as 
his  first  words  were  in  a tone  of  voice  something  between  the 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


285 


screech  of  a locomotive  and  the  plaintive  wail  of  a Scotch  bag- 
pipe. “What  the  devil  i9  the  matter  boy,  did  you  never  see  a man 
before?”  “N’ — ,n’ — , no,”  I managed  to  say,  “I  never  had.”  I 
suppose  I meant  to  such  a man  as  that.  He  was  about  five  feet 
in  height,  slimly  built  and  could  not  have  weighed  over  ninety 
pounds,  with  a shock  of  grizzly  hair,  a snow  white  beard  that 
covered  every  inch  of  his  repulsive  features,  and  neither  hair  nor 
beard  had  ever  known  the  use  of  a comb.  His  little  deep-set, 
piercing  eyes  reminded  one  of  two  holes  cut  in  a venison  ham,  or 
two  holes  burnt  in  a blanket.  But  now  to  attempt  to  describe  his 
dress:  A hunting  shirt  which  at  the  beginning  was  buckskin, 

but  now  from  the  numerous  patches  sewed  on,  tied  on  with 
strings,  tied  on  with  hickory  bark,  patch  upon  patch,  until  all  the 
colors  of  the  rainbow  were  blended  into  one  inconceivable  but- 
ternut hue;  moccasins  of  a prehistoric  type,  were  tied  upon  his 
feet  with  leatherwood  bark,  while  his  pants  out-generaled  his  coat 
for  color  and  patches;  his  hands,  which  scorned  the  use  of  soap, 
reminded  one  of  the  talons  of  a chicken  hawk;  on  his  head  he 
wore  what  once  had  been  a cap,  made  of  deer  skin  with  the  hair 
side  out,  but  now  it  looked  somewhat  like  a last  year’s  inverted 
bird’s  nest  after  the  breaking  up  of  a hard  winter;  but  compari- 
sons are  vain,  and  I’ll  give  it  up  in  despair.  An  old  United  States 
flint-lock  musket  was  slung  over  his  shoulder,  a dilapidated 
greasy  shot-pouch  and  powder  horn  hung  by  his  side,  while  a 
much  worn  shoemaker’s  knife,  in  a leather  scabbard,  was  tied  to 
his  belt.  His  next  words  were:  “Give  me  something  to  eat, 

boy;  I’m  hungray  as  a bar;”  but  by  this  time  I had  partially  re- 
gained my  senses  and  told  the  ghoul  or  gobblin  that  there  was 
not  a morsel  of  cooked  food  in  the  camp,  but  if  he  would  tarry  a 
while,  the  hunters  would  be  in  and  by  that  time  I would  have 
supper  ready,  and  would  be  very  much  pleased  to  have  him  sup 
with  us.  This  invitation  he  readily  accepted,  and  standing  his 
gun  against  a tree  with  a satisfied  grunt,  sat  down  on  a log  to 
await  the  return  of  the  hunters  and  supper.  In  a short  time  all 
returned,  and  as  they  greeted  the  visitor  it  was  plain  to  be  seen 
they  knew  who  he  was  from  Gray’s  description;  and  indeed,  he 
introduced  himself  as  Harshish,  the  oldest  and  greatest  hunter  of 
the  classic  Loblolly;  had  killed  more  deer  and  bear  than  any 
man  in  the  world.  While  he  would  be  talking  to  one,  the  rest 
would  be  out  behind  the  camp  discussing  the  situation.  It  was 
finally  decided  that  by  allowing  the  wizard  to  take  supper  with  us 
would  not  be  giving  him  anything  any  way,  and,  moreover  was 
any  man  ever  known  to  come  to  the  home  of  father  hungry  and 


286 


.RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


go  away  empty?  So  Harshish  took  supper  with  us.  He  did  not 
tarry  long  after  supper,  but  picked  up  his  gun  to  start.  For  the 
sake  of  good  manners,  father  asked  him  to  stay  all  night.  No,  he 
would  go  to  his  own  cabin,  which  was  not  more  than  a mile 
away,  and  he  had  traveled  those  woods  darker  nights  than  that. 
Just  before  leaving  he  turned  to  father  rather  carelessly  and  said 
he  had  always  made  it  a point  when  he  was  having  good  luck 
hunting  to  divide  with  his  less  fortunate  neighbors,  and  he  had 
been  hunting  several  days  and  killed  nothing,  and  his  family  being 
entirely  out  of  meat  and  nothing  else  in  the  house  to  eat  but  a 
little  unground  corn,  he  would  be  very  thankful  for  a small  piece 
of  venison.  Now,  of  course,  father  could  not  refuse  that  appeal, 
especially  when  the  wizard  referred  to  his  family,  and  had  his 
mind  fully  made  up  to  offer  him  meat  without  asking,  regardless 
of  the  wishes  of  the  others,  but  he  wisely  concluded  to  have  their 
consent,  so  if  any  disaster  followed  the  gift,  would  not  bear  all 
the  blame.  And  moreover,  we  could  not  plead  scarcity,  as  there 
right  in  front  of  the  gent  hung  three  fine  deer,  the  fruits  of  the 
day’s  hunt.  So  father  said,  “Well,  ’tis  true  we  have  the  venison, 
and  to  spare,  but  I am  only  one  and  as  for  me  you  can  have  the 
meat  and  welcome.”  Then  Jim,  the  man  who  did  not  believe  in 
“spells,”  spoke  up.  “certainly,  give  him  all  the  meat  he  wants,  and 
we  can  kill  more  when  this  is  gone.”  Uncle  Joe  was  of  the  same 
opinion,  and  gave  his  assent.  Old  Coon  Thompson,  the  next 
oldest  to  father,  and  the  most  superstitious  of  the  party,  was  the 
hardest  nut  to  crack.  But  as  all  the  rest  were  against  him,  gave 
a reluctant  consent,  saying  he  thought  any  man  who  was  not  too 
d — d lazy  might  get  all  the  game  he  wanted  without  begging  for 
it.  If  Hirshish  heard  this  remark,  he  did  not  heed  it,  and  father 
stepped  out  to  one  of  the  deer  hanging  on  the  pole,  cut  off  a fore- 
quarter and  handed  it  to  the  apparently  thankful  Hirshish,  who 
speedily  took  his  departure.  For  hours  after  he  was  gone  the 
men  lay  there  discussing  the  pro’s  and  con’s,  and  wondering 
what  the  morrow  would  bring  forth,  which  interesting  question 
will  be  answered  in  the  next  chapter. 


They  ripped  and  tore,  cussed  and  swore,  and  swore  they 
wouldn’t  stay  there  any  more. — Old  Negro  Melody. 

A better  time  for  stalking  deer  never  dawned  than  the  morn- 
ing after  the  wizard  of  the  Loblolly  left  the  camp  with  his  quarter 
of  fat  venison.  A crisp  white  frost  covered  the  ground  and 
hung  like  sparkling  diamonds  from  the  trees  and  underbrush; 
just  such  a morning  as  gladdens  the  heart  of  a hunter,  and  sends 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


287 


him  forth  with  the  assurance  that  before  the  frost  has  melted 
from  the  leaves  he  will  get  a shot;  for  on  such  a morning,  any  old 
deer  hunter  will  tell  you,  that  every  deer  in  the  woods  is  on  the 
move,  especially  in  the  height  of  running  time.  It  was  not  more 
than  a half  hour  until  bang,  went  a gun.  That’s  father,  said  I, 
and  I’ll  bet  my  boots  there’s  one  less  deer  in  the  woods.  I wish 
to  explain  here  that  after  being  in  the  woods  a few  days,  hunters 
can  tell  the  crack  of  each  other’s  guns  as  well  by  the  sound,  as  if 
they  saw  them  fired.  In  five  or  ten  minutes  more,  bang,  bang,  I 
heard  Jim’s  gun,  two  shots  in  quick  succession,  and  in  less  time 
than  it  takes  to  record  it,  the  shots  became  so  fast  and  furious  that 
it  reminded  one  of  a skirmish  line,  and  I began  to  wonder  what 
we  would  do  with  all  the  deer  killed  that  morning.  But  before 
dinner  time  my  mind  was  set  at  rest  on  the  subject.  The  first  to 
get  to  camp  was  father;  he  came  tearing  through  the  woods  like 
a mad  steer.  As  he  threw  off  his  shot  pouch  and  slammed  his 
gun  down  in  the  tent  he  muttered,  “d — m old  Hirshish;  what  in 
the  dickens  did  them  fellows  mean  by  giving  him  meat,  anyway; 
two  broad-side  shots  and  not  a hair  touched.”  Next  came  Uncle 
Joe,  puffing  and  blowing  with  the  same  refrain,  “d — m that  old 
scoundrel;  three  as  fair  shots  as  I ever  had  in  my  life  and  not  a 
hair  or  drop  of  blood.  Lew,  what  in  thunder  ever  possessed  you 
to  give  that  old  d — 1 that  quarter  of  venison?”  “I  didn’t  give  it 
any  more  than  the  rest  of  yo,”  replied  father,  rather  hotly.  Next 
came  Jim,  the  wise  man,  that  did  not  believe  in  the  hoodoo  art. 
Oh,  but  he  was  hot.  “What  do  you  think?”  said  he,  “I  stood 
right  in  my  tracks  and  shot  five  times  at  the  biggest  five  point 
buck  that  runs  the  woods  and  never  made  him  bat  his  eye;  I 
know  I took  as  good  sight  and  had  as  steady  a nerve  as  I ever 
had,  and  I did  not  shoot  an  inch  over  sixty  yards.  That  villain 
has  “spelled”  my  gun,  I am  ready  to  swear,  for  I never  miss  a 
deer  that  distance,  you  all  know.”  This  was  a fact,  for  Jim  was 
known  as  the  greatest  deer  hunter  of  that  day,  and  had  the  proud 
distinction  of  standing  in  his  tracks  and  piling  up  five  full  grown 
deer,  and  that5  with  an  old-fashioned  muzzle  loading,  single  bar- 
reled rifle,  which  would  be  a considerable  feat  to-day,  even  with 
the  improved  Winchester.  In  fact  it  was  not  ncommon  for  Jim 
to  kill  more  deer  than  all  the  rest  of  the  party,  and  as  a matter  of 
course  when  he  reported  having  missed  five  fair  shots,  some- 
thing had  to  be  wrong  with  his  gun,  that  was  dead  sure.  After 
each  one  related  his  terrible  luck,  and.blamed  old  Hirshish  with 
it,  father  says:  “Well,  we  will  wait  for  old  Coon  Thompson,  and 

if  he  has  missed  we  may  as  well  hang  up  the  fiddle  and  break  for 
home. 


288 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


They  had  not  long  to  wait,  for  at  last  came  not  satan,  but 
something  worse.  It  was  old  Coon;  you  might  have  heard  him 
swear  for  a mile  or  more;  he  fairly  turned  the  woods  bule  with 
profanity.  “Didn’t  I warn  you,  Lew,  not  to  give  that  old  devil 
anything?  Didn’t  Jesse  Gray  tell  you  that  if  we  give  him  any- 
thing our  luck  was  done  and  our  goose  was  cooked?  Why,  I 
would  have  seen  the  old  sun  of  a gun  starve  before  I would  have 
given  him  a crumb  of  bread  to  save  his  cussed  life.  We  may  just 
as  well  pull  up  stakes  and  start  for  New  Paris,  (where  we  lived  at 
that  time).  If  I only  had  that  old  devil  here  for  one  minute  he 
would  never  “spell”  another  gun,”  said  old  Coon.  “Why,  have 
you  forgotten,  John  that  nothing  but  a silver  bullet  will  kill  a 
witch  or  wizard?”  said  my  father,  half  jeeringly,  half  earnest. 
“I’d  risk  it,”  replied  old  Cooney;  “I’d  take  the  ax,  chop  him  into 
mince  meat  and  throw  it  into  the  fire.”  “Well,”  said  father,  “you 
have  not  told  us  yet  what  your  luck  has  been;  we  heard  you 
cannonading,  and  thought  you  had  a wagon  load  of  deer  hung 
up.”  “Deer,”  said  Cooney,  “devil  a deer  have  I touched  this  day, 
though  I have  shot  away  every  bullet  in  my  pouch.  The  first 
chance  I had  was  a doe  and  two  fawns ; they  ran  up  within  twenty 
steps  of  me;  I could  see  their  very  eye  winkers,  and  knew  if  I 
could  knock  the  doe  down  in  her  tracks  I wTas  about  sure  of  all 
three  of  them.  I held  for  the  doe’s  heart,  when  fiz  went  the  cap. 
They  never  stirred.  I put  on  a new  cap,  and  click,  it  went  again; 
there  them  three  deer  stood  until  I busted  seven  caps,  and  then 
galloped  away  without  even  seeing  me.  I then  concluded  the 
powder  in  the  tube  had  got  damp,  and  sighted  at  a spot  on  a tree 
and  the  gun  cracked  as  clear  as  a bell.  I loaded  again,  and  had 
not  gone  two  hundred  yards  until  six  deer  came  running  and 
stopped  within  sixty  yards  of  me.  There  I stood  and  banged 
away,  shot  after  shot,  while  them  deer  circled  around  me  until  I 
hadn’t  a bullet  left  in  my  pouch.  I’ll  take  my  oath  I did  not 
shoot  overy  twenty-five  yards  at  some  of  the  deer,  and  never 
touched  a hair.  Its  all  your  fault,  Lew,  I told  you  not  to  give 
that  old  cuss  anything,  but  you  would  have  your  own  way,  and 
now  you  see  what’s  come  of  it.  Our  guns  are  “spelled,”  and  we 
will  not  kill  another  deer.” 

I should  have  stated  that  the  other  two  hunters,  one  of  them 
Hurst  Porterfield,  of  New  Paris,  and  the  D.  G.  of  the  same  place, 
had  come  in  just  before  old  Cooney  and  had  about  the  same  ex- 
perience to  report;  plenty  of  shots,  or  snaps,  but  no  game.  Espe- 
cially was  D.  G.  badly  demoralized;  he  had  got  a half  mile  from 
camp,  when  a large  black  bear  came  running  and  jumped  up  on 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


289 


a log  not  over  fifteen  steps  away,  and  on  seeing  the  hunter, 
raised  upon  his  haunches  and  took  a hasty  survey  of  him.  The 
hunter  aimed  for  his  heart,  when  click  went  the  cap;  he  snapped 
again,  and  again,  and  the  gun  failed  to  fire.  He  went  to  put  on 
a new  cap,  and  in  his  great  haste  and  excitement  allowed  the  cap 
box  to  slip  from  his  hand  and  roll  away  in  the  leaves,  and  as  he 
stooped  to  recover  it  the  bear  took  the  alarm  and  jumped  the  log 
and  in  a very  brief  time  was  lost  in  the  underbrush.  Thus  it  was 
each  man  had  a story  more  dismal  than  the  one  preceding  him. 
So  they  jawed  and  quarreled,  crimination  and  recrimination  was 
the  order  of  the  day;  each  one  positively  denying  that  he  had  been 
responsible  for  the  bad  luck  in  giving  the  wizard  the  venison. 
So  after  they  had  quarreled  until  they  became  tired  of  that  sport, 
father  said  that  the  witch  did  not  live  that  could  put  on  a charm 
that  he  could  not  break,  that  he  was  not  born  right  in  the  shadow 
of  the  natural  bridge  in  old  Virginia  to  be  out-generaled  by  such 
a little  shriveled  up  wizard  as  old  Harshish,  and  if  they  would  all 
be  governed  by  him  he  would  break  the  spell.  To  this  they 
readily  assented,  you  may  be  sure.  Each  man  took  his  gun  bar- 
rel out  of  the  stock;  this  being  done,  the  vents  or  tubes  were 
closely  plugged  up  a pole  was  placed  over  the  big  log  fire,  high 
enough  for  the  lower  end  of  the  barrels  to  hang  a foot  or  more 
above  the  fire.  A piece  of  hickory  bark  was  tied  around  the 
muzzel  and  was  filled  with  a fluid  readily  obtainable,  then  each 
barrel  was  suspended  from  the  pole,  until  they  should  boil  dry, 
while  an  incantation  or  witch  jargan,  something  like  the  following 
was  repeated  thrice: 

Boil  away,  boil  away,  till  the  pot  boils  dry  ; 

Away  to  the  clouds  the  charm  will  fly ; 

If  the  witch  comes  back,  the  witch  will  die; 

Howly  poke,  up  in  smoke,  and  all’s  well. 

The  guns  having  all  boiled  until  they  were  perfectly  dry, 
were  taken  down,  thoroughly  washed  out  with  hot  water  and 
ashes,  and  wiped  dry  with  tow.  They  were  then  fitted  to  their 
stocks  and  were  ready  for  the  next  morning’s  hunt.  About  sun- 
down Jesse  Gray  returned,  and  laughed  heartily  when  told  of  the 
morning  adventures,  he  himself  having  killed  a large  five  point 
buck  on  his  way  to  camp.  We  staid  there  three  more  days,  and 
had  more  game  than  we  could  haul  home.  Besides  the  deer 
killed,  we  had  six  or  eight  wild  turkeys,  and  nearly  a barrel  of 
honey. 


290 


RANDOLPH  CONUTY. 


Iam  aware  that  some  of  my  readers  will  think,  Old  Timer 
is  exagerating,  but  I can  assure  them  that  while  the  language  is 
my  own,  the  facts  as  here  set  down  are  substantially  true  as  Holy 
Writ.  Is  it  more  unreasonable  to  believe  these  stories  of  super- 
stition and  witchcraft,  than  it  is  to  believe  that  Mrs.  Stuckenberg, 
of  Louisville,  Ky.,  at  precisely  the  same  hour,  3 o’clock  p.  m.  of 
each  Friday,  has  apearing  on  her  forehead  a perfect  cross  and  on 
her  breast  the  initials  I.  H.  S.,  and  the  nail  holes  through  her 
hands  and  feet?  Also  the  spear  thrust  in  her  side,  and  these 
wounds  bleed  afresh  the  hour  named,  as  if  just  taken  down  from 
the  cross?  Is  it  more  difficult,  I ask,  to  believe  the  story  of  the 
wizard  spelling  guns  than  this  miraculous  story  that  is  religiously 
believed  by  hundreds  of  thousands  of  intelligent  people  all  over 
our  broad  land?  I may  say  I well  remember  of  people  coming 
to  my  father  to  get  him  to  mold  silver  bullets  with  which  to  kill 
witches.  In  fact  things  every  whit  absured  and  unreasonable  are 
believed  by  many  people  of  to-day,  and  not  the  most  ignorant 
people  either. 

The  pitcher  that  goes  to  the  well  too  often  is  sure  to  get 
broken. — Proverb. 

In  closing  the  first  part  of  the  ‘‘reminisences’’  it  will  be 
necessary  to  go  back  some  little  way  and  relate  incidents  that  had 
escaped  our  memory.  A few  days  after  Gray's  family  had  been 
murdered  by  the  Indians,  the  same  tribe  made  a raid  in  the  same 
locality  and  ruthlessly  murdered  the  Morgan  family,  consisting 
of  father,  brother  and  one  son.  As  a matter  of  course,  Jesse 
Gray  was  one  of  the  first  to  volunteer  his  valuable  services  and 
experience  in  Indian  fighting  to  wipe  out  the  band  of  bloody 
butchers  who  did  the  work.  In  this  undertaking  the  famous  old 
hunter  came  near  losing  his  life.  Gray,  in  company  with  Josh 
Addington,  another  old  Indian  fighter  and  hunter  of  note,  with 
several  others  whose  names  I have  forgotten,  pursued  and  over- 
took the  red  men  before  they  reached  th  Mississinewa.  Each 
party  was  mounted,  but  the  reds  outnumbered  the  whites  two  to 
one.  With  such  men  as  Gray,  Addington,  and  the  other  settlers 
of  equal  mettle  and  daring,  numbers  were  not  considered.  The 
instant  the  whites  got  in  range  they  opened  fire,  and  the  reds 
seeing  their  advantage  in  numbers,  wheeled  about  and  returned 
the  fire  with  interest.  As  the  aim  from  off  a horse  was  uncertain 
at  best,  both  sides  dismounted,  and  each  man  took  a tree  and 
fought  on  his  own  hook.  It  soon  became  apparent  that  the 
Indians  were  too  much  for  the  whites,  as  some  of  their  guns  had 
gotten  damp  and  would  not  fire  at  all,  while  others  had  fired  his 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


291 

last  bullet.  The  Indians  being  quick  to  discover  their  advant- 
age, were  trying  to  flank  the  whites,  that  is  to  get  in  the  rear  and 
surround  them,  in  which  case  not  a white  man  would  have  es- 
caped. So  the  order  was  given  for  each  man  to  mount  and  save 
himself.  It  was  at  this  critical  time  that  Gray,  in  attempting 
to  get  on  his  horse,  slipped  and  came  near  falling,  which  caused 
his  horse  to  shy,  and  for  a moment  it  looked  as  if  Jesse  was  to  fall 
a victim  to  the  now  enraged  and  confident  Indians.  At  this 
point  Josh  Addington,  seeing  the  danger  of  his  old  friend  Gray, 
discovered  a big  brave  drawing  a bead  on  Jesse.  Although  his 
own  gun  had  refused  to  fire  for  the  twentieth  time,  jumped  from 
behind  his  tree,  and  in,  fair  view  of  the  Indian,  leveled  his  gun  at 
him,  well  knowing  it  would  not  fire,  but  knowing  just  as  well 
that  the  Indian  did  not  know  it.  At  the  same  time  he  yelled  to 
Gray  for  Heaven  sake  to  mount  and  get  away.  The  ruse  had  the 
desired  effect;  when  the  Indian  saw  Josh’s  gun  aimed  straight  at 
his  heart  he  droped  his  aim  from  Gray  and  jumped  behnd  a tree. 
This  little  diversion  enabled  Gray  and  Addington  to  get  on  their 
horses  and  get  away,  although  the  bullets  of  the  red  men  were 
cutting  the  brush  close  around  them.  The  fight  on  the  part  of 
the  whites  resulted  in  two  or  three  being  wounded;  on  the  part 
of  the  Indians  it  is  hard  to  tell,  as  they  invariably  remove  their 
dead  and  wounded,  even  while  the  fight  is  on;  but  it  is  known 
that  at  least  one  Indian  bit  the  dust,  and  several  others  more  or 
less  severely  wounded. 

This  was  the  last  raid  that  wes  ever  made  in  the  settlement 
of  the  Mississinewa,  though  for  years  after  the  death  of  a white 
man  might  be  laid  at  the  door  of  an  Indian,  and  as  to  the  Indians, 
a good  one  disappeared  with  almost  frightful  rapidity  for  many 
years  after  the  Morgan  murder. 

Among  the  early  settlers  of  the  Mississinewa  were  Peter 
Dailey,  Joseph  Flesher,  Tom  Shaler  and  several  others  who 
found  it  necessary  occasionally,  in  order  to  save  the  furs  caught 
in  their  traps,  to  serve  notice  on  bad  Indians  to  immediately 
leave  the  country,  and  it  is  needless  to  add  they  always  obeyed, 
-and  never  bothered  the  traps  more.  One  of  those  thieving  In- 
dians was  known  by  the  rather  peculiar  name  of  Duck.  Peter 
Dailey  was  a very  successful  trapper,  and  the  coon  and  mink 
skins  that  he  took  in  were  a legal  tender  for  all  debts,  public  and 
private,  and  even  to  paying  taxes  and  entering  land.  It  is  a fact 
not  generally  known  that  many  quarter  sections  of  land  in  this 
part  of  the  state,  that  are  now  well  improved  farms,  were  entered 
and  the  price  paid  in  coon  skins;  so  when  Peter  discovered  that 
his  traps  were  being  robbed,  he  saw  that  a nice  eighty  acre  farm 


292 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


on  whch  he  had  been  keeping  his  weather  eye,  was  likely  to  slip 
through  his  fingers  if  this  stealing  of  his  furs  kept  on.  So  Pete 
told  Mr.  Duck  plump  and  plain  that  he  believed  him  to  be  the 
thief.  This,  of  course,  he  denied,  and  got  fighting  mad,  talked 
shoot  and  told  Peter  he  must  not  call  him  thief  or  there  would  be 
serious  trouble.  Peter  told  Duck  that  he  understood  the  use  of 
the  gun  pretty  well  himself,  and  if  he  was  spoiling  for  a fight,  he 
might  sail  in  whenever  it  suited  his  convenience,  but  for  the  time 
being  all  he  wanted  was  his  traps  to  be  let  alone,  and  if  he  every 
caught  the  Indian  at  his  traps  he  was  a dead  Duck  sure.  For 
some  time  after  his  traps  were  not  molested,  which  convinced  him 
that  he  had  spotted  the  right  man. 

It  so  happend  that  year  fur  ran  away  up  to  a fabulous  price 
for  those  times,  and  Peter  discovered  that  although  his  traps 
would  be  set  and  the  bait  be  in  its  place,  there  were  signs  that  to 
his  practiced  eye  convinced  him  that  there  had  been  a coon  or 
mink  in  the  trap,  and  it  had  been  taken  out,  and  the  trap  reset  with 
the  greatest  care.  As  a matter  of  course  this  made  Peter  red  hot 
and  he  commenced  laying  for  the  thief,  but  in  spite  of  his  best 
efforts  he  could  not  catch  the  Indian  in  the  act,  nor  could  he  ever 
catch  Duck  in  the  vicinity  of  his  traps.  Yet  the  stealing  went  on, 
and  he  was  dead  sure  Duck  was  the  thief.  Fnally  Peter  tumbled 
to  the  racket.  The  cunning  Indian  was  going  to  the  traps  before 
daylight.  About  two  o’clock  one  morning  Peter  went  to  one  of 
his  surest  traps,  and  concealing  himself  in  easy  rifle  range,  sat 
down  to  await  events.  He  had  waited  an  hour  or  more  when  he 
heard  a step  going  toward  the  trap;  it  was  too  dark  to  make  out 
clearly  what  the  object  was  that  stopped  by  the  trap,  but  through 
the  gloom  he  finally  made  out  that  it  was  a man.  He  could  see 
him  stoop  down  and  take  something  from  the  trap,  but  what 
puzzled  Peter  was  how  was  he  going  to  set  the  trap  again  and 
leave  everything  in  proper  shape  as  dark  as  it  was ; and  moreover 
he  did  not  like  to  risk  a shot  at  that  distance  in  the  dark,  and  yet 
he  could  not  think  of  letting  the  thief  get  away;  he  was  soon  en- 
lightened, and  more,  when  the  Indian  drew  a flint  and  steel  from 
his  pouch  and  with  a sharp  click  struck  the  flint  and  the  sparks 
dropped  on  some  dry  tow,  blazed  up,  and  in  a moment  was  ap- 
plied to  some  dry  shavings  and  soon  made  a pretty  fair  but  small 
light,  by  which  Peter  was  able  to  see  plainly  the  stalwart  form  of 
Duck,  with  a large  raccoon  lying  at  his  feet.  The  light  also  en- 
abled him  to  get  a good  bead  on  the  Indian,  and  it  is  presmed  his 
gun  did  not  miss  fire ; but  in  relating  the  incident  Peter  only  said, 
“Duck  did  not  set  the  trap  and  he  must  have  went  off  on  a long 
hunt,  for  he  has  never  been  seen  in  this  country  since.” 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


293 


Uncle  Joe  Flesher  had  an  experience  with  a bad  Indian  very- 
similar  to  that  of  Peter  Dailey.  His  traps  were  being  robbed 
almost  daily  and  he  had  a strong  suspicion  of  who  was  doing  the 
mischief.  So  he  set  out  to  catch  the  thief;  he  concealed  himself 
near  some  of  his  best  traps  very  early  in  the  morning,  and  about 
daylight  he  heard  a turkey  calling  right  near  one  of  his  traps ; he 
listened  attnetively  for  a time  and  fancied  that  the  turkey  had  a 
rather  peculiar  call,  so  he  waited  and  refused  to  answer  the  call. 
In  a few  moments  he  was  rewarded  by  seeing  that  turkey  in  the 
shape  of  the  very  Indian  he  was  looking  for,  step  up  to  the  trap, 
and  after  cautously  looking  in  every  direction,  place  the  caller  to 
his  lips  and  give  a very  good  intimation  of  the  call  of  a wild  tur- 
key, yet  the  call  was  not  quite  enough  to  deceive  Uncle  Joe 
Flesher.  He  saw  at  a glance  the  ruse  of  the  wily  red  man  was  a 
good  one.  His  scheme  was  to  give  the  call  of  the  turkey  and  if 
it  was  answered  his  well  traned'  ear  would  warn  him  whether  it 
was  a man  or  turkey,  and  if  a man,  he  would  slip  away  leaving 
the  trap  undisturbed ; but  if  answered  by  a turkey  he  would  take 
the  coon  or  mink  from  the  trap  and  proceed  on  his  way  to  another 
trap.  I may  stop  here  to  explain  that  the  turkey  caller  is  made 
from  the  small  bone  of  the  wing  of  a turkey,  and  when  used  by  an 
expert  will  deceive  the  most  cunning  old  gobbler  in  the  woods, 
and  draw  him  on  to  his  death.  The  Indian  was  fooling  with  a 
white  man  that  knew  the  genuine  from  a false  call  of  the  turkey, 
as  well  or  better  than  himself,  and  that’s  where  he  made  his  mis- 
take. 


And  your  sons  and  daughters  shall  prophecy,  and  your, 
young  men  shall  see  visions,  and  your  old  men  shall  dread 
dreams. — Bible. 

Before  entering  upon  the  bear  hunt  with  our  old  friend  Gray, 
I wish  to  relate  an  occurrence  as  showing  how  wonderfully  strong 
was  the  belief  in  dreams,  signs  and  tokens  of  the  men  of  fifty  years 
ago.  How  almost  miraculously  some  of  their  dreams  at  least 
were  fulfilled.  As  said  in  a previous  chapter,  my  father  was  one 
of  the  greatest  deer  and  bear  hunters  of  his  time,  and  could  boast 
an  achievement  that  probably  could  not  truthfully  be  claimed 
by  another  man  in  Indiana  or  Ohio,  and  that  was  that  he  had 
killed  a deer  in  every  year  for  sixty  years.  Of  course  some  years 
he  killed  many  more,  but  what  I mean  is,  that  for  sixty  years 
there  was  no  year  in  which  he  did  not  kill  one  or  more  deer.  He 
killed  his  first  deer  in  Rockbridge  County,  Virginia,  when  he 
was  eleven  or  twelve  years  of  age,  and  his  last  one  in  Jay  County, 
Indiana,  when  he  was  seventy-two  or  seventy-three.  He  died 
in  Camden,  Jay  County,  Indiana,  in  1875,  at  almost  80. 


294 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


The  story  I wish  to  relate  is  this:  As  usual  in  each  year 

when  October,  about  the  8th  to  16th,  came  around,  our  party, 
six,  eight  or  ten,  were  ready  to  start  on  our  annual  deer  hunt, 
with  a two-horse  wagon  well  loaded  with  bread,  corn  meal,  pota- 
toes, sugar  and  coffee,  camp  equipage,  good  tent,  axes,  augurs, 
saws,  etc.  We  started  from  New  Paris,  Ohio,  and  drove  to  the 
Mississinewa,  where  we  were  joined  by  Jesse  Gray  and  Charles 
Sumption,  another  great  hunter  of  the  time.  We  hunted  for  two 
or  three  days  there  with  rather  poor  luck ; in  fact  a few  wild  tur- 
keys, squrrels  and  pheasants  were  all  we  had  for  camp  meat, 
which  was  humilating  to  such  hunters  as  composed  our  camp. 
Finally  Gray,  who  understood  perfectly  the  habits  and  haunts  of 
deer,  said  the  game  had  left  the  Mississinewa  and  gone  to  Still- 
water, where  there  was  plenty  of  mast,  (acorns  and  beechnuts) 
and  we  had  better  go  to  that  river  if  we  expected  a successful 
hunt.  So  next  morning  we  started  for  Stillwater  and  camped 
the  first  night  on  Greenville  creek,  ten  or  twelve  miles  from  our 
destination,  which  was  the  crossing  of  Stillwater  on  the  Shanes- 
ville  road  twelve  or  fifteen  miles  north  of  Greenville,  Ohio,  and 
now  comes  the  singular  fulfillment  of  the  dream.  Just  at  the 
peep  of  day  next  morning  father  awoke  in  good  humor,  and  be- 
fore he  had  even  got  out  of  bed  said,  “boys,  venison  for  the  pot 
to-day,  and  a fat  buck  it  will  be,  too.”  “Why,  what  are  you 
talking  about,  Lew?”  said  old  Coon.  “We  will  do  mighty  well  if 
we  even  reach  the  camp  ground  to-day,  as  bad  as  the  roads  are.” 
“No  difference,”  replied  father,  “we  will  have  venison  in  the  pot 
for  supper  and  a good  fat  buck  at  that  or  I will  never  say  dream 
again;  for”  said  he,  “I  dreamed1  of  cattle  in  the  night  and  I am 
just  sure  of  killing  a deer  when  I have  that  dream  as  I am  of  liv- 
ing, and  if  I dream  of  cattle  with  horns  it  will  be  a buck,  and  if  I 
dream  of  muleys  it  will  be  a doe  or  fawn.  As  the  day  began  to 
draw  to  a close  and  several  of  the  party,  especially  old  Coon 
Thompson,  began  to  give  it  to  father  about  his  dream,  and  among 
other  jokes  asked  him  if  he  would  just  as  leave  have  squirrel  for 
supper?  “No,”  said  he,  “nothing  but  venison  goes  for  supper 
this  night,  and  rest  assured  I will  have  the  venison  for  the  pot  by 
the  time  the  pot  is  ready  to  boil.”  So  just  as  we  crossed  on  the 
bridge  and  drove  up  to  a pretty  clear  space  on  the  north  bank 
and  stopped,  the  sun  was  sinking  behind  the  tree  tops.  “Now,” 
said  father,  “some  of  you  take  care  of  the  horses,  others  put  up 
the  tent  and  build  a good  fire,  and  Sam,  you  go  down  the  river 
and  bring  up  some  water  and  set  the  pot  on  the  fire  about  half 
filled  with  water,  and  I will  have  the  venison  here  when  the  water 
boils.”  So  father  put  a fresh  cap  on  his  gun  and  started  in  a 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


295 


brisk  walk  directly  north  from  camp  while  the  most  of  the  hunters 
gave  him  the  laugh;  even  Jesse  Gray,  himself  a firm  believer  in 
dream  and  unbounded  confidence  in  father's  skill  as  a hunter,  re- 
marked that  Lew's  dream  would  certainly  fool  him  this  time. 
But  about  the  time  the  tent  was  raised  and  just  as  I had  placed 
the  pot  over  a bright  fire  in  front  of  the  tent,  bang!  we  heard 
father's  gun  ring  clear  and  sharp;  every  man  raised  to  his  feet 
and  intently  listened  for  our  signal,  which  was  “Tally  Ho,”  and 
signifies  “I  have  killed  the  game  and  need  help;”  but  instead  of 
“Tally  Ho,”  came  the  no  less  exciting  request,  “bring  the  dogs, 
and  be  in  a hurry  about  it;  I have  wounded  a big  buck.”  We  had 
three  as  good  Virginia  deer  hounds  as  ever  gave  tongue  on  a 
track,  and  you  may  be  sure  that  every  man  left  the  task  he  might 
be  at  and  started  on  the  run  for  father,  with  the  dogs.  We  did 
not  have  more  than  two  hundred  yards  to  go  before  we  reached 
father,  the  dogs  had  struck  the  track  and  had  the  deer  on  the  go; 
but  he  was  a game  deer  and  the  wickedest  one  1 ever  saw,  and 
the  excitement  for  a few  minutes  was  of  the  grandest  kind,  but 
came  near  being  serious  if  notdatal  to  brother  Jim.  It  is  very 
rare  indeed  that  a good  hound  will  ever  take  hold  of  a deer  or 
bear,  and  our  dogs  were  no  exception  to  the  rule;  they  would 
stand  and  bay  the  buck,  but  when  he  pitched  at  one  of  them  they 
would  get  out  of  his  way  in  a hurry ; and  with  the  dogs  charging 
and  retreating,  it  was  difficult  to  get  a dead  shot  at  the  buck  for 
fear  of  killing  a dog;  every  time  the  deer  caught  sight  of  a hunter 
he  started  for  him  with  his  hair  turned  the  wrong  way,  and  his 
eyes  blazing  like  two  balls  of  fire,  and  that  hunter  had  to  climb  a 
sapling  or  get  a big  tree  between  him  and  the  buck  in  mighty 
short  order.  In  the  excitement,  father  had  overlooked  me 
standing  there  enjoying  the  sport  without  a gun  or  even  a club, 
all  unmindful  of  the  great  danger  in  which  I was  placed;  when  he 
discovered  me  he  fairly  screamed,  “run  for  you  life,  boy,  and 
climb  up  on  that  big  log;”  you  know  that  for  once  at  least  I obeyed 
him  without  grumbling,  and  about  the  time  I had  got  safe  on  the 
log  our  best  dog,  in  running  away  from  the  buck,  had  ran  against 
a tree  which  knocked  him  over,  and  before  he  could  recover  the 
buck  jumped  on  him  with  his  shary  hoofs  and  horns  and  was  do- 
ing the  poor  dog  up  in  great  shape.  Jim  could  not  stand  this, 
as  the  dog  belonged  to  him,  and  was  a favorite  of  all  the  party; 
so  he  stepped  boldly  forth  and  stood  within  fifteen  steps  of  the 
deer  with  his  gun  to  his  shoulder  ready  for  a shot  at  the  first  op* 
portunity.  The  moment  the  deer  saw  Jim,  he  left  the  dog  and 
pitched  at  him.  Jim,  who  was  a man  of  nerve,  stood  like  a 
statue  awaiting  the  charge  of  the  buck,  and  when  the  deer  was 


296 


LYNN,  RANDOLPH  CONUTY. 


within  two  jumps  of  him,  we  were  all  horrified  to  hear  his  gun 
snap.  It  was  too  late  to  retreat,  so  Jim  dropped  his  gun  and 
reached  for  his  tomahawk,  but  before  he  could  get  it  from  his  belt 
the  enraged  buck  had  raised  on  his  haunches  for  the  leap  that 
would  have  borne  Jim  to  the  ground,  and  possibly  ended  his 
hunting  adventures  then  and  there,  but  fortunately  at  this  criti- 
cal moment  the  sharp  crack  of  a rifle  rang  out  and  the  buck  fell 
dead  at  Jim’s  feet.  Uncle  Joe,  seeing  the  danger  in  which  Jim 
was  placed,  and  realizing  that  something  must  be  done,  and  that 
instantly,  had  taken  a snap  shot  and  his  bullet  had  broken  the 
buck’s  neck.  It  is  needless  to  say  that  everybody  was  happy, 
and  in  much  less  time  than  it  takes  to  record  it,  the  deer  was  car- 
ried to  the  camp,  dressed,  and  the  big  pot  was  boiling  merrily, 
well  filled  with  the  fat  ribs  of  the  deer,  while  the  hunters  sat 
around  the  bright  camp  fire  waiting  impatiently  for  the  meat  to 
get  done.  Of  course  Uncle  Joe  was  the  hero  of  the  hour,  for 
making  the  capital  and  difficult  shot  that  probably  saved  the  life 
of  brother  Jim,  while  father  raosted  old  Coon  Thompson  over 
making  light  of  his  dream.  We  found  game  so  abundant  that 
in  less  than  a week  we  returned  home  to  New  Paris  with  all  the 
meat  and  honey  we  could  haul. 

Now  for  the  bear  hunt.  When  Jesse  Gray  was  living  over 
south  of  the  Mississinewa  about  three  or  four  miles,  he  was  the 
proud  possessor  of  just  one  hog,  which  he  kept  in  a stout  log  pen 
near  the  house,  thinking  the  nearness  to  the  house  would  protect 
the  porker  from  the  ravages  of  bears  and  wolves,  which  were 
very  abundant  at  that  time.  Be  it  remembered  hogs  were  hogs 
in  the  country,  and  it  was  not  every  settler  that  could  boast  of 
even  one  hog,  so  we  may  imagine  the  surprise  and  anger  of  Jesse 
when  he  went  one  morning  to  feed  that  same  hogs,  to  find  the 
pen  empty  and  a huge  bear  track  going  to  and  from  the  pen. 
Jesse  stood  mute  in  surprise  for  a moment  and  then  he  said  some 
things  very  uncomplimentary  about  that  bear.  But  Gray  was  a 
man  of  action,  and  his  mind  was  soon  made  up.  He  went  to  the 
house  and  said  to  his  wife,  “get  to  work  right  away  and  bake  me 
enough  com  dodgers  to  last  me  at  least  three  days.”  “What  in 
the  name  of  sense  are  you  up  to  now,  all  of  a sudden,”  said  Mrs. 
Gray.  “Why,  an  infernal  bear  has  come  and  carried  away  our 
only  hog,  and  I’m  going  after  that  bear  if  this  snow  don’t  melt 
away  too  soon,  and  I’ll  have  that  bear’s  hide  before  you  see  me 
again.” 


It  was  nip  and  tuck,  but  tuck  ha»d  it. 

When  the  old  lady  heafd  of  the  loss  of  the  hog,  she  went  to 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


297 


work  with  a will  and  by  the  time  Jesse  had  his  gun  in  the  best  of 
trim  and  a goodly  supply  of  bullets  run,  she  had  the  corn  bread 
ready;  Jesse,  putting  the  bread  in  the  sack  which  he  slung  over 
his  shoulder,  started  on  the  bear’s  track.  A good  tracking  snow, 
and  all  the  water  courses  frozen  over,  very  much  favored  the 
pursuit.  The  bear  had  started  north  for  the  Mississinewa,  and 
in  about  a quarter  of  a mile  from  the  house  he  found  where  Bruin 
had  stopped  and  enjoyed  a hearty  meal  off  the  hog,  and  had 
dragged  the  rest  to  one  side  and  covered  it  over  with  leaves  and 
twigs  for  future,  reference.  He  did  not  go  but  a mile  or  so  until 
he  started  the  bear,  but  did  not  see  him;  he  increased  his  speed 
and  was  not  long  in  giving  that  bear  to  understand  that  he  had  a 
nemesis  on  his  track  as  stern  and  unrelenting  as  fate  itself. 

The  track  led  on  north  until  it  crossed  the  Salamonia,  then 
he  turned  eastward  and  crossed  the  Wabash  near  Fort  Recovery. 
By  this  time  he  was  getting  pretty  tired  and  manifested  a desire 
to  rest  by  lying  down  in  a thicket  every  now  and  then,  but  it  was 
no  go.  Gray  was  in  sight  of  the  bear  one  fourth  of  the  time  and 
might  have  had  several  shots,  but  that  was  not  exactly  the  idea 
of  the  hunter;  his  woodcraft  taught  him  that  if  pursued  long 
enough  the  bear  would  return  for  a meal  off  the  hog.  After 
crossing  the  Wabash  he  turned  south,  and  began  to  show  signs 
of  being  very  tired.  By  this  time,  night  was  at  hand,  and  the 
ordinary  hunter  would  have  encamped  for  the  night,  but  Jesse 
Gray  was  no  ordinary  hunter;  lie  had  been  raised  in  the  woods 
and  inured  to  all  the  hardships  of  frontier  life,  and  consequently 
as  tough  as  a whale  bone.  So  he  kept  Mr.  Bear  moving  till  near 
midnight,  at  wdiich  time  he  could  no  longer  see  the  tracks  in  the 
snow,  as  the  moon  had  gone  down.  He  hunted  some  dry  wood, 
took  out  his  flint  and  steel,  (matches  were  not  thought  of  at  that 
time)  and  struck  a spark  in  some  dry  tow  and  soon  had  a bright 
fire.  After  a good  square  meal  of  com  bread,  he  lay  down  by 
the  fire  and  was  very  soon  enjoying  natures  sweet  restorer,  balmy 
sleep.  At  the  peep  o‘  day,  Gray  was  up  and  away  on  the  track, 
not  even  taking  time  to  eat  his  lunch,  but  attended  to  that  affair 
as  he  followed  the  animal  he  was  bent  on  destroying.  The  bear 
had  not  gone  but  a short  distance  until  he,  too,  tumbled  down  in 
a tree  top  for  a much  needed  rest ; but  on  the  approach  of  Gray  he 
got  up,  but  was  so  terribly  stiff  and  sore  that  he  showed  signs  of 
fight,  and  Jesse  could  have  killed  him  then  and  there,  but  that 
was  too  far  from  home.  Jesse  seeing  he  had  the  bear  at  his 
mercy,  concluded  to  drive  him  right  back  if  possible  to  the  spot 
where  he  had  killed  the  hog,  and  there  take  his  sweet  revenge. 
He  threw  a club  at  the  bear,  which  had  the  desired  effect  and 


298 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


started  him  off  in  a slow  and  sullen  walk;  for  awhile  Gray  was  in 
sight  of  the  game  all  the  time,  but  as  bruin  began  to  warm  up, 
his  stiffened  muscles  relaxed,  he  began  to  get  up  a rate  of  speed 
that  astonished  Jesse,  and  he  began  to  think  perhaps  he  had  mis- 
calculated the  nedurance  of  the  bear  and  possibly  lost  his  oppor- 
tunity. This  caused  him  to  accelerate  his  own  speed,  and  for 
several  miles  it  was  nip  and  tuch,  but  tuck  was  the  winner,  and 
Jesse  soon  had  the  pleasure  of  again  being  in  sight  of  his  hated 
enemy.  The  chase  led  across  the  Mississinewa  to  the  south,  and 
again ''back  and  across  the  river  to  the  north,  then  he  turned 
down  the  river  in  exactly  the  course  Gray  wished  him  to  go. 
When  he  got  down  about  two  miles  above  where  Ridgeville  now 
stands,  he  crossed  the  river  again,  going  almost  straight  for 
Gray’s  home,  and  he  thought  he  would  have  the  pleasure  of  kill- 
ing the  bear  right  at  home;  but  Jesse  himself  was  beginning  to 
weaken,  and  the  bear  would  turn  and  growl  and  show  fight 
frequently,  and  as  it  was  getting  near  sunset,  and  he  was  only  two 
miles  or  less  from  home,  he  concluded  to  bring  the  hunt  to  a 
close,  so  he  sat  down  on  a log  to  rest  for  a moment  and  the  bear 
dropped  over  in  a tree  top  and  in  a minute  was  sleeping  his  last 
sleep.  Gray  walked  up  to  within  twenty  feet  of  the  bear  and  tak- 
ing good  sight  for  the  bruin,  fired,  and  bruin  was  done  hog  steal- 
ing. He  was  an  immense  bear,  weighing  fully  five  hundred 
pounds.  Jesse  took  off  the  animal’s  hide,  and  after  hanging  the 
carcass  up  out  of  the  way  of  wolves,  he  reached  home  just  at 
dark,  the  most  exhausted  he  every  was  in  his  life,  and  almost  as 
well  satisfied  as  if  he  had  wiped  out  an  Indian.  The  meat  of  the 
bear  he  sent  down  the  river  on  a flat  boat,  where  it  brough  him 
$20,  and  the  hide  was  sold  to  an  Indian  trader  at  Richmond  for 
$10,  making  in  all  $30  for  his  two  day’s  hunt;  enough,  he  said  to 
buy  him  twenty  hogs  better  than  the  one  taken  by  the  bear:  “be- 
sides,” said  the  old  man,  “the  satisfaction  of  killing  that  b’ar  was 
worth  more  than  the  money.” 

As  this  is  probably  the  last  time  our  hero,  Jesse  Gray,  will 
appear  in  the  Reminiscences,  I will  here  state  the  last  time  I 
heard  the  old  man  speak  of  his  thrilling  experiences  with  the  red 
men,  he  seemed  to  regret  that  he  had  been  so  hard  on  them,  al- 
though the  provocation  had  been  great.  He  had  become  quite 
a zealous  Christian,  (Methodist,  I believe)  and  probably  felt  that 
“Vengenace  is  mine,  saith  the  Lord,”  and  if  his  eventful  life  was 
to  be  led  over,  he  would  leave  vengeance  to  the  Lord.  The  grand 
old  man,  hero,  hunter  and  Indian  slayer  died  in  Noble  Township, 
Jay  County,  Indiana,  at  the  advanced  age  of  four  score,  in  1872, 
and  was  buried  in  the  cemetery  at  Camden,  Jay  County,  Indiana, 
where  a decent  monument  should  mark  his  last  resting  place. 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


299 


Among  the  pioneer  hunters  of  the  Mississinewa  was  Tom 
Shaler.  I remember  of  his  telling  how  difficult  it  was  to  get 
ammunition,  especially  lead;  so  very  craeful  was  he  of  the  lead 
that  he  would  not  shoot  a deer  until  he  got  the  deer  directly  be- 
tween him  and  a big  tree,  so  that  if  the  ball  passed  through  the 
deer  it  would  lodge  in  the  tree,  where  the  hunter  would  cut  it  out 
and  mold  it  into  a bullet  again.  I have  had  pointed  out  to  me 
near  Camden,  a large  oak  tree  with  two  notches  cut  out  where 
Shaler  shot  two  deer  on  the  same  day  and  saved  both  bullets. 
This  sounds  funny  to  us  now,  but  Grandmother  Ward  has  often 
told  me  about  the  squirrels  being  so  destructive  on  the  corn,  and 
lead  being  scarce  and  costly,  that  she  would  put  a small  grain  of 
corn  or  a bean  in  the  bullet  molds  and  run  the  lead  in  around  it, 
thereby  saving  one-half  or  two-thirds  of  the  lead. 

In  our  next  chapter  we  will  tell  about  the  flat  boats  that  were 
built  on  the  south  side  of  the  river  just  between  the  wagon  and 
railroad  bridges,  and  there  loaded  and  sent  down  the  river  and 
the  produce  bartered  for  such  goods  as  the  settlers  needed  in 
those  days.  It  will  be  news  to  some  of  my  younger  readers  to 
know  that  the  Mississinewa  was  at  one  time  declared  navigable 
as  far  up  as  Ward’s  crossing,  now  Ridgeville. 


A ship  in  distress  is  a wonderful  sight, 

It  is  worse  than  two  armies  a goin’  to  fight 
Fora  soldier  can  throw  down  his  gun  and  run, 

While  a seaman  must  submit  to  a watery  tomb. 

— Burlesque  on  Raging  Canal. 

As  said  in  the  last  chapter,  the  Misissinewa  was  at  one  time 
a navigable  river  as  far  up  as  Ridgeville,  at  times  Ward’s  crossing. 
As  strange  as  it  may  seem  now,  good  sized  flat  boats  were  built 
here,  and  the  amount  of  different  kinds  of  produce  one  of  these 
boats  would  carry,  is  simply  marvelous.  Sometimes  a whole 
fleet  of  these  boats  were  built  and  anchored  at  the  same  time. 
The  building  of  the  flat  boat  was  an  art  that  was  possessed  by  a 
very  few.  Among  the  chief  of  the  builders,  I have  been  in- 
formed, were  Grandfather  Joab  Ward,  Arthur  McKew  and  John 
Sumption,  father  of  Malon  Sumption,  president  of  the  Ridgeville 
bank  at  this  time.  Of  course  there  were  many  others  that  worked 
on  the  boat  building  and  as  the  boat  was  built  bottom  side  up,  it 
required  the  whole  settlement  to  turn  one  over.  The  turning  of 
a boat  was  a holiday,  and  the  feats  of  strength  performed  on 
these  occasions  would  astonish  the  athletic  of  to-day.  No  block 
and  tackle,  jack  screws,  derricks,  steam  hoisting  machines,  were 
known,  but  every  man  put  his  shoulder  to  the  wheel,  or  rather  the 


300 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


boat,  and  over  she  went.  One  boat  in  the  fleet,  at  least,  hau  a 
cabin,  built  about  the  center,  in  which  the  cooking  .,  as  done. 

In  the  meantime,  while  the  boat  was  building,  the  produce 
with  which  it  was  to  be  loaded  was  being  collected  and  stored  in 
a ware  house  built  near  where  the  G.  R.  & I.  water  tank  now 
stands.  The  basement  was  an  excellent  place  to  store  fruit, 
butter,  pork,  honey,  etc.,  while  the  upper  story,  built  of  hewed 
logs,  was  used  for  storing  furs,  pelts,  dried  fruits  and  such  articles 
as  had  to  be  kept  dry.  The  ware  house  was  built  and  owned  by 
Joab  Ward,  and  was  a great  convenience  to  the  settlers  wishing 
to  ship  goods  down  the  raging  Mississinewa,  and  even  unto  this 
day,  my  mouth  waters  to  think  of  the  big  bellflowers  and  rarnbos 
that  Joel  and  I used  to  purloin  from  that  cellar. 

After  the  boat  was  built  and  the  produce  all  to  be  loaded 
there  was  another  very  essential  requisite  for  a successful  voyage, 
and  the  time  for  this  was  somewhat  uncertain.  It  sometimes 
occurred  almost  every  month  in  the  year,  and  at  other  times  it 
might  be  almost  a year  without  occurring  at  all.  This  much  de- 
sired event  was  a freshet  or  high  water,  for  be  it  known  the  path- 
way of  the  navigator  was  strewn  with  many  dangerous  obstruc- 
tions ; if  the  water  was  not  high  enough  his  boat  was  liable  to  run 
square  into  a big  rock  that  would  be  concealed  just  a few  inches 
beneath  the  surface.  If  the  boat  happened  to  be  in  a ripple  and 
going  at  high  speed,  it  was  liabel  to  stave  a hole  in  it  and  cause 
it  to  sink,  or,  as  sometimes  happened,  the  boat  would  be  so 
firmly  lodged  on  the  rock  that  it  had  to  remain  there  until  there 
came  higher  water  and  floated  it  off;  or,  they  might  unload  it, 
and  thus  lightened,  would  free  itself,  and  be  reloaded  and  another 
start  made.  But  this  process  required  so  much  work  it  was  only 
resorted  to  when  all  else  failed. 

One  of  the  early  settlers  tells  me  of  a fleet  of  twelve  boats 
that  were  built  here  and  loaded  with  charcoal,  and  in  addition  to 
the  coal,  the  firm  of  Edger  & Co.,  of  Deerfield,  had  on  one  of  the 
boats  several  hundred  dollars  worth  of  furs.  The  boats  had  been 
built  of  green  timber,  and  by  inexperienced  workmen,  and  the 
consequence  was  that  when  they  were  launched  they  were  almost 
ready  to  sink  of  their  own  weight.  By  careful  handling  the 
most  of  them  got  down  as  far  as  the  McKinney  dam,  now  Fair- 
view.  When  the  big,  or  family  boat,  reashed  the  dam  it  was  a 
question  whether  or  no  it  would  ride  the  dam  with  safety.  Two 
or  three  of  the  most  experienced  sailors  volunteered  to  make  the 
attempt  to  shoot  the  dam.  When  all  was  ready  they  put  the 
boat  in  the  swiftest  current,  and  the  water  was  the  deepest  on  the 
dam ; they  put  on  all  the  steam  (the  steam  was  stored  in  a jug  in 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


301 


the  pilot  house-  and  let  her  go.  The  attempt  was  a “dam”  fail- 
ure. The  boat  ran  about  one-third  over  the  dam  and  there 
stopped,  and  no  power  possessed  by  the  crew  could  budge  it  an 
inch.  After  remaining  there  several  days  and  when  every  plan 
to  get  off  failed,  it  was  finally  abandoned.  The  goods  were  un- 
loaded on  shore  by  means  of  canoes,  and  Edger  & Co.  were  com- 
pelled to  take  their  furs  back  to  Deerfield  and  wait  for  another 
and  better  fleet  of  boats.  While  the  other  boats  were  strung 
-along  the  river  from  the  starting  point  to  the  McKinney  dam, 
some  sank  to  the  bottom  and  were  seen  no  more  until  the  water 
went  down  later  in  the  summer;  while  others  were  run  to  the 
shore  and  there  left,  and  all  the  blacksmiths  in  the  country  had 
charcoal  for  two  or  three  years  just  for  the  hauling.  After  the 
coal  was  unloaded,  the  boats  were  taken  away  by  the  settlers, 
and  hog  pens  were  made  of  them.  It  is  useless  to  say  that  the 
charcoal  merchant  was  forced  to  the  wall  with  liabilities  up  in 
the  hundreds,  and  assets,  nix.  In  other  words,  he  was  badly 
broken  up  and  left  the  country  in  disgust. 


No,  his  name  on  the  note  is  not  sufficient;  it  used  to  be,  but 
I have  noticed  that  when  a man  selb  a good  farm  and  goes  into 
mercantile  business,  and  lets  others  sell  his  goods  on  commission, 
he  is  about  sure  to  come  to  grief. — Uncle  Jimmie  Moorman. 

As  the  country  was  cleared  up  and  ditches  cut  so  the  water 
could  run  off,  the  Mississinewa  came  to  an  end.  Besides  the 
roads  were  getting  so  the  trip  could  be  made  with  wagons,  and 
the  salt,  ammunition,  etc.,  that  the  settlers  were  obliged  to  have, 
were  brought  from  Richmond,  Piqua  and  other  points  within 
reach. 

At  this  time  there  were  no  bridges  or  foot  logs  across  the 
river,  which  necessitated  each  settler  keeping  a canoe  or  dugout, 
and  it  would  astonish  the  professional  oarsman  of  to-day  to  see 
how  one  of  the  old  settlers,  with  only  a single  paddle  could  run 
across  or  up  and  down  the  swiftest  current. 

The  canoe  business  often  led  up  to  quarrels  among  the  set- 
tlers. Unfortunately  people  quarreled  and  took  the  advantage 
of  each  other  very  much  as  they  do  to-day,  and  probably  will  until 
Gabriel  blows  his  trumpet.  Among  some  of  the  rather  eccentric 
characters  of  the  early  times  were  Edward  McKew,  who  lived 
on  the  farm  now  owned  by  Mrs.  Elmira  McKew,  and  Ezekiel 
Roe,  who  lived  on  the  farm  now  belonging  to  our  old  friend  Joe 
Nicholson.  It  so  happened  that  Roe  had  a canoe  which  he  prized 
very  highly,  for  it  had  many  a time  and  oft  carried  hhn  and  his 
friends  across  the  raging  river  when  miles  would  have  had  to  been 


302 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


traveled  to  cross  in  any  other  way.  So  Zeke’s  rage  may  be 
imagined  when  one  morning  he  went  down  the  river  to  cross 
and  found  his  canoe  split  into  smithereens.  Of  course  somebody 
done  it,  and  as  he  and  McKew  were  not  on  the  best  of  terms,  he 
at  once  jumped  to  the  conclusion  that  the  vandal  was  Edward 
McKew.  It  is  said  that  when  Zeke  would  accuse  Edward  in  the 
presence  of  witness,  Edward  would  deny  it  in  the  most  emphatic 
language,  but  when  they  were  alone  old  Edward  would  say,  “of 
course  I split  your  d — d old  canoe,  but  you  can’t  prove  it,  and  I 
would  like  to  see  you  help  yourself.”  The  story  goes  that  when 
they  would  meet  in  a crowd,  Zeke  would  say,  “Old  Edward  Mc- 
Kew, you  split  my  canoe,”  and  McKew  would  reply,  “Old  Zekiel 
Roe,  how  do  you  know.”  They  finally  went  to  law  over  the 
trouble  and  it  cost  almost  a farm  to  each,  and  then  wound  up  by 
a terrible  hard  fist  fight  in  Winchester,  in  which  the  honors  were 
about  even,  according  to  some  of  my  informants,  and  others  say 
that  both  were  the  victors,  according  to  their  individual  prefer- 
ence. 

It  is  no  wonder  these  early  settlers  had  their  quarrels  and 
difficulties  when  we  reflect  that  the  stock  were  allowed  to  run  at 
large,  and  the  fences  were  of  the  poorest  kind,  and  when  stcok 
did  break  in  there  was  no  justice  of  the  peace  handy  like  there  is 
to-day.  Another  fruitful  source  of  trouble  was  the  trapping  of 
furs.  The  traps  would  be  robbed,  and  somebody  was  sure  to  be 
accused  of  it.  One  man  would  find  a bee  tree  and  place  his  mark 
on  it,  and  when  he  went  to  cut  the  tree  and  get  the  honey,  he 
would  find  that  somebody  had  been  there  and  cut  his  tree  and 
secured  possibly  a barrel  of  honey.  In  fact,  there  was  a thousand 
things  for  the  early  settlers  to  quarrel  about  that  do  not  exist  to- 
day. One  of  the  incidents  of  the  time  we  write  about  occurred 
between  Joab  Ward  and  Ben  Llewellyn.  The  two  men  had  been 
rather  bitter  toward  each  other  for  some  time,  and  of  course  there 
were  busy  bodies  to  carry  threats  from  one  to  the  other,  until 
things  began  to  look  serious,  as  both  men  were  known  to  possess 
enough  of  the  backwoods  grit  to  make  it  interesting  if  the  came 
together.  It  so  fell  that  one  day  these  two  men  met  in  the  woods 
over  south  of  the  River  Side  school  house.  Each  had  his  ever 
ready  and  trusty  rifle  with  him,  and  it  was  almost  out  of  the  ques- 
tion to  avoid  a more  or  less  fatal  meeting,  so  after  discussing  their 
differences  and  coming  to  no  amicable  understanding,  Joab 
stepped  over  to  Ben  and,  raising  the  cap  that  covers  the  powder 
in  the  pan  of  the  flint  lock,  told  Ben  to  observe  that  the  powder 
was  perfectly  dry,  and  there  was  no  danger  of  the  gun  missing 
fire.  With  this  somewhat  pointed  observation,  they  each  turned 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


303 


and  went  their  way,  in  the  meantime  keeping  his  eye  on  the  other 
until  they  were  out  of  sight  and  gun  shot. 

Joab  told  of  a close  call  he  had  from  a source  he  little  ex- 
pected. My  readers  will  remember  a pond  and  thicket  just  a few 
rods  this  side  of  the  house  occupied  at  present  by  Date  Simmons. 
In  that  pond  a man  had  concealed  himself  as  a hired  assassin,  to 
shoot  Joab  as1  he  was  returning  on  horseback  from  Richmond, 
where  he  had  been  to  mill.  He  lay  there  in  wait  with  his  rifle 
resting  on  a log,  and  when  Joab  came  riding  along  all  unsuspect- 
ing of  danger  and  feeling  glad  that  his  trip  would  soon  be  at  an 
end  and  his  family  supplied  with  bread,  which  was  an  item  at  that 
early  day,  the  assassin  drew  a bead  on  Joab  and  his  finger  lightly 
pressed  the  trigger,  but  when,  in  after  years,  he  was  relating  the 
incident  and  Joab  asked  him  why  he  did  not  fire,  he  said,  “My 
heart  failed  me  when  I thought  of  the  many  kind  acts  of  yours, 
and  the  times  I had  partaken  of  your  hospitality,  and  when  I tried 
to  press  the  trigger  my  finger  refused  to  move/’  He  told  grand- 
father who  had  hired  him  to  do  the  dirty  work,  but  as  all  the 
actors  in  that  almost  tragedy  have  long  passed  from  the  stage  I 
will  not  name  them. 

One  of  the  amusing  incidents  connected  with  the  flat  boating 
I will  relate  as  a finale  of  boating  on  the  Mississinewa.  A gentle- 
man had  fitted  up  a boat  and  loaded  it  with  a cargo  of  venison, 
hams,  honey,  corn,  dried  fruits,  furs,  pelts,  etc.,  and  started  it 
down  the  river  consigned  to  a commission  merchant  at  Attica,  on 
the  Wabash  canal.  He  expected  the  load  to  bring  enough  to 
pay  for  160  acres  of  land  which  he  expected  to  enter  when  he  re- 
ceived the  money  for  his  cargo.  He  waited  and  waited  to  hear 
from  the  commission  merchant,  and  as  no  news  came  he  wrote 
the  merchant  to  know  if  the  goods  were  sold,  and  if  not,  why  not. 
After  he  had  waited  until  his  patience  was  nearly  exhausted  he 
received  word  that  the  goods  were  sold,  and  the  following  bill, 
the  merchant  informed  him,  would  be  deducted  for  his  trouble: 


Storage $25.00 

D ravage  . 20.00 

Boatage 30.00 

Shrinkage 15.00 

Commissionage 40.00 

— 

Total $130.00 


This  left  the  shiper  abpout  sixty  dollars  for  his  load.  He 
sat  down  and  sent  the  merchant  the  following  reply:  “You  d — d 

infernal  villain,  put  in  stealage  and  keep  it  all.” 

Truly  3'ours, 


SAM  GINGER. 


304 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  II. 


Mrs.  Lynch: — On  receipt  of  your  letter  asking  me  to  write 
a short,  concise  history  of  this  part  of  Randolph  County  or  of 
what  came  under  my  own  personal  observation  and  other  an- 
theuticated  transactions  of  which  I my  know  about  in  the  early 
settlement  and  anectdotes  and  doings  of  the  pioneers,  I hardly 
felt  myself  capable  of  doing  the  subject  justice.  Thousands  of 
those  men  and  women  who  braved  the  trials  of  pioneer  life  have 
passed  on  to  the  other,  and  let  us  hope,  the  better  life;  their  stories 
are  untold  and  unsung  by  this  generation  of  people,  and  where 
was  once  heard  the  ax  of  the  frontiersman  as  he  felled  the  mighty 
trees,  the  melodies  of  the  modern  musical  instruments  is  wafted 
over  well  kept  lawns  and  fertile  fields,  fine  carriages,  phaetons, 
and  surrays  have  taken  the  place  of  the  mud  boat,  cart  and 
wagons,  as  in  early  times  these  were  the  vehicles  used  to  go  visit- 
ing and  trading  and,  yes,  to  funerals. 

What  a change  has  taken  place  since  that  time.  Those 
piooneers  are  gone;  the  wild  beasts  of  the  forest  that  they  fought 
are  gone;  the  game  that  they  hunted  to  supply  their  tables  are 
gone;  the  waist  land  for  which  they  had  no  use  has  been  sub- 
dued and  is  now  yielding  the  golden  grain,  and  finds  a market  a 
thousand  miles  from  where  it  was  grown,  quicker  than  they  could 
market  it  six  miles  in  those  early  days.  Then  it  could  only  be 
taken  to  market  during  the  summer  or  in  the  frozen  winter. 

Their  wants  were  few,  but  at  times  they  were  hard  to  obtain. 
In  their  rude  cabins  they  were  happy  with  their  axes  and  trusty 
guns,  surrounded  by  wife  and  children.  He  was  a monarch  of 
his  domain.  Do  not  think  for  a moment  sorrow  and  trouble 
never  came  to  those  people;  with  the  country  reeking  with 
nuiasing  swamps,  sometimes  whole  families  would  be  stricken 
with  chills  and  fever,  or  better  known  in  those  days  as  ague. 
Noble  men  and  women  laid  down  their  lives  in  the  terrible  strug- 
gle to  subdue  the  fair  state  of  Indiana  from  the  terrible  wilderness 
when  they  first  came  to  it. 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


305 


Everything  they  had  to  sell  was  cheap ; everything  they  had 
to  buyVvas  dear.  A few  prices  will  not  be  amiss  at  this  place: 
Eggs,  Scents  per  dozen;  corn,  12^2  cents  per  bushel;  wheat,  40 
cents,  marketed  in  Piqua,  Ohio,  mostly;  salt,  $3.00  per  barrel; 
calico,  25  cents  per  yard;  common  casinet,  $1.25  per  yard;  shirt- 
ing, 25  cents;  New  Orleans  sugar,  I2j4  cents  per  pound;  labor, 
25  to  50  cents  per  day  from  sun-up  until  sun-down. 

My  father  moved  his  family  from  Cincinnati  to  Randolph 
County  in  1832,  and  on  Easter  morning  went  over  to  the  grocery 
to  buy  some  eggs,  and  as  baskets  were  scarce,  he  picked  up  a 
half  bushel  one  and  started  for  the  eggs.  Arriving  at  the  grocery 
he  told  the  proprietor  to  give  him  a quarters  worth  of  eggs,  hand- 
ing him  the  basket.  Soon  he  came  out  of  the  little  ware  room, 
the  basket  full  of  eggs  and  asked  father  if  he  anything  to  put  the 
rest  of  the  quarters  worth  in.  Explanations  were  made,  matters 
adjusted,  and  he  went  home  with  a basket  full  of  eggs  and  some 
change.  I have  seen  no  better  eggs  sold  at  50  cents  per  dozen. 
What  a change. 

These  were  good  Democratic  days;  we  heard  no  talk  about 
greenbacks  nor  silver  certificates;  nothing  but  gold,  silver  and 
wild  cat  bank  money.  When  a man  got  fifty  miles  from  home 
with  the  paper  money  he  was  obliged  to  keep  it  or  have  it  dis»- 
counted.  A hundred  dollars  in  the  morning  was  apt  not  to  be 
worth  a hundred  cents  in  the  evening;  but  these  were  good  Demo- 
cratic times  and  the  people  did  not  complain.  In  these  good 
times  postage  on  a letter  was  twenty-five  cents,  payable  on  de- 
livery. I have  known  letters  to  lay  in  the  postoffice  two  weeks 
because  the  man  to  whom  it  was  addressed  did  not  have  the 
twenty-five  cents  to  pay  the  postage ; he  then  borrowed  the  quar- 
ter from  the  clerk  of  the  court,  and  it  was  eight  months  before 
he  could  pay  the  money  back.  Oh,  those  were  splendid  times! 

There  was  one  consolation  that  always  filled  the  hearts  of  the 
pioneers  with  joy,  and  that  was  that  when  they  got  a patch  of 
ground  cleared  off.  It  would  produce  an  abundance  of  every- 
thing they  planted.  There  was  one  old  gentleman,  Mr.  James 
Forsythe,  who  always  raised  a large  quantity  of  water  melons. 
On  one  occasion  a young  mam,  a neighbor’s  son,  who  lived  about 
three  miles  away,  called  on  Mr.  Forsythe.  When  ready  to  return 
home  Forsythe  told  him  he  could  take  some  melons  home  with 
him.  He  filled  up  a three  bushel  tow  linnen  sack  and  loaned  the 
young  man  a blind  horse  on  which  to  carry  his  melons  home. 
The  horse  was  named  Dragon.  He  was  told  that  when  he  came 
to  a log  all  he  had  to  do  was  jerk  the  bridle  rein  gently  and  say, 
“over  Dragon,”  and  the  horse  would  do  the  rest.  So  on  coming 


3°6 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


to  a log  that  laid  across  the  path  he  jerked  the  rein  and  ga/e  the 
word,  but  all  too  soon,  for  the  horse  lit  on  top  of  the  log  and  fell 
about  twenty  feet  on  the  other  side,  spilling  the  boy  and  bursting 
the  melons  at  the  same  time.  Fortunately  the  boy  was  not  hurt, 
and  regaining  his  feet  he  placed  his  hands  on  his  hips  and  was 
surveying  the  wreck  in  silent  meditation.  Soon  finding  his  voice 
he  merely  remarked,  “that  was  one  h — 1 of  an  over/  * 

In  early  times  in  this  county  there  were  many  wild  animals 
that  was  a menace  to  the  flocks  of  the  early  settlers,  such  as 
wolves,  wildcats,  panthers  and  some  bear.  My  father,  on  one 
occasion,  went  out  to  try  his  hand  killing  bear.  He  carried  a 
rifle  and  a double  barreled  shot  gun  which  was  loaded  with  buck 
shot.  When  he  got  about  a mile  from  home  he  went  up  to  the 
west  side  of  a cat-tail  pond,  and  climbing  up  on  a lodged  tree  near 
the  edge  of  the  pond  and  getting  a position  that  gave  him  a com- 
manding view  , he  set  up  a hallowing  which  started  two  bears  out 
of  the  pond  on  the  opposite  side.  He  discharge  all  his  artillery 
at  their  retreating  forms,  but  got  no  bear.  The  old  gentleman 
says  he  thinks  they  are  running  yet,  as  that  was  what  they  were 
doing  when  he  last  saw  them.  There  were  many  deer  and  tur- 
keys throughout  all  the  country.  I was  born  in  1837,  and  I re- 
member to  have  seen  bear  tracks  in  the  snow,  and  treid  hard  to 
shoot  deer,  and  have  killed  several  wild  turkeys  north  of  Win- 
chester. It  was  practically  an  unbroken  forest  as  far  as  Foft 
Wayne.  Throughout  Jay,  Wells  and  Adams  Counties  for  long 
years  hoop  poles  and  coon  skins  were  a legal  tender  for  all 
debts,  public  and  private,  except  taxes  and  marriage  licenses, 
which  had  to  be  paid  in  gold  and  silver.  The  politics  of  those 
counties  was  mostly  Democratic,  and  there  was  a story  I heard 
in  my  younger  days,  that  even*  Sunday  morning'  the  people  had 
to  catch  their  children  with  dogs  to  put  their  clean  clothes  on.  I 
always  thought  that  was  a lie,  and  feel  free  to  say  at  this  time  that 
I am  yet  of  that  opinion,  although  Mr.  Lynch  has  told  me 
some  things  that  leads  me  to  believe  that  there  was  was  some 
truth  in  the  hoop  pole  and  coon  skin  stories. 

Of  the  old  residents  of  this  township  (White  River),  and 
more  especially  in  what  was  called  the  Salt  creek  and  Sugar  creek 
neighborhood,  they  are  nearly  all  gone;  and  in  some  instances 
every  one  in  the  family  have  passed  away  to  the  other  side  of  life. 
Some  of  the  children  of  those  pioneers  faced  the  stem  realities  of 
life  on  the  sanguine  battle  fields.  Many  of  my  school  mates  of 
1844,  1845,  and  1847  and  later  years  now  sleep  the  sleep 
that  comes  to  the  soldiers  far  away  from  the  home  of  their  chil- 
dren. Some  of  their  bones  are  bleaching  on  the  bottom  of  the 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


307 


Gulf  of  Mexico;  others  lie  beneath  the  waters  of  the  turbid  Mis- 
sissippi river;  one  I assisted  to  bury  on  a noil  in  the  woods  above 
Memphis,  Tenn.  They  were  children  of  men  and  women  that 
conquered  the  towering  forests  and  provided  happy  homes  in 
their  younger  days  for  those  that  in  time  yielded  up  their  lives  to 
pereptuate  those  home,  to  fall  in  defence  of  that  flag  that  in  early 
life  they  were  taught  to  honor  and  respect.  Many  returned 
home  again  after  the  struggle,  wounded  and  broken  in  health 
and  have  fallen  in  the  race  of  life.  Doubtless  some  are  burried 
in  the  cemetery  which  you  are  proposing  to  fence  by  the  proceeds 
of  the  sale  of  this  little  book.  Let  us  hope  that  if  for  no  other 
reason  the  generous  and  patriotic  people  to  whom  it  may  be  of- 
fered will  gladly  and  willingly  respond  and  that  you  will  be  suc- 
cessful in  your  efforts ; that  it  may  be  said  that  no  grave  of  a man 
who  fought  for  his  home,  his  country,  his  flag,  shall  be  turned  out 
to  the  commons,  that  the  horses  of  the  husbandman  shall  trample 
them,  nor  brouse  above  their  mouldering  ashes. 

JOHN  MARTIN, 
Winchester,  Ind. 


308 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  III. 


John  C.  Meier,  son  of  Lorenz  and  Barbara  Meier,  was  born 
in  Gesees,  near  Bayrenth,  Bavaria,  Germany.  His  father  died 
November  9th,  1881,  and  his  mother  in  1892.  He  received  a good 
corrtmon  school  education,  after  which  he  assisted  his  father  in 
farm  work  until  he  was  18  years  old,  when  he  learned  wagon 
making.  On  April  9th,  1870,  he  bid  adue  to  his  native  home; 
on  the  13th  he  boarded  the  fated  steamer  “Cimbria;"  on  the  27th 
he  landed  in  New  York  city;  on  May  4th  he  arrived  at  Cincinnati, 
where  he  soon  found  employment  at  his  trade.  In  1871  he  con- 
cluded to  learn  the  bakers  trade,  of  which  he  made  a success. 
In  1873  he  came  to  Winchester  at  the  request  of  Mr.  Mander- 
bach,  for  whom  he  worked  five  years.  In  1874  he  married  Miss 
C.  E.  Keller,  daughter  of  G.  G.  Keller.  Miss  Keller  received 
her  education  in  short  winter  and  subscription  terms  of  school. 
She  also  attended  the  seminary  under  Prof.  Ferris.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Meier  had  ten  children,  Alice  J.,  Lorenz  G.,  Bertha  C.  (died 
October  7th,  1894)  twins  died  in  infancy,  Hugo  H.,  Edwin  J., 
Alma  A.,  Irene  L.  and  Clifford  S. 

In  1878  Mr.  Meier  moved  to  Union  City,  Ind.,  where  he 
started  a bakery,  which  he  carried  on  very  successfully  for  three 
years.  At  this  time  his  father-in-law,  Mr.  G.  G.  Kelley,  who 
kept  a grocery  under  the  firm  name  of  Keller  & Son.,  wished  to 
retire  from  business  and  offered  his  place  to  Mr.  Meier,  which  he 
accepted,  and  for  this  purpose  removed  to  Winchester.  After 
January  1st,  1881,  the  business  was  carried  on  under  the  firm 
name  of  Keller  & Meier.  Mr.  Meier  not  being  contented  with 
his  trade  soon  added  a bakery  to  the  already  rosperous  business. 
In  March,  1887,  the  bakery  was  destroyed  by  fire,  but  was  im- 
mediately rebuilt  and  the  baking  capacity  enlarged.  The  firm 
continued  successfully  until  the  end  of  1892,  when  G.  W.  Keller 
retired,  Mr.  Meier  taking  sole  charge  and  continuing  the  same, 
assisted  by  his  children.  On  the  13th  of  May,  1887,  Mr.  Meier 
left  here  for  a visit  to  his  aged  mother  and  two  brothers.  He  re- 
turned in  three  months,  content  to  spend  the  remainder  of  Me  in 
this  land  of  liberty  and  plenty. 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


309 


Mr.  Meier  is  prominent  among  fraternal  orders.  He  was 
instrumental  in  instituting  the  I.  O.  R.  M.  in  this  place  on  Janu- 
ary 28th,  1894.  He  has  passed  through  all  the  offices  of  the  or- 
der. He  has  also  held  important  state  offices,  and  now  is  United 
States  representative  of  the  Hay  Makers’  association.  He  has 
also  filled  all  the  offices  of  the  K.  of  P’s,  has  also  been  state  repre- 
sentative of  the  same  order.  He  is  also  a member  of  the  I.  O.  O. 
F.  Mr.  Meier  has  filled  the  office  of  vice  president,  and  is  now 
one  of  the  directors  of  the  Winchester  Home  and  Savings  asso- 
ciation. Although  not  a church  member,  Mr.  Meier  has  con- 
tributed to  the  various  churches  which  have  been  erected  during 
his  residence  here. 

In  politics  Mr.  Meier  is  a Democrat,  of  which  he  is  an  en- 
thusiastic and  valued  member. 


3io 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

A FEW  SKETCHES  OF  THE  PIONEER  LIFE  OF 
MY  DEAR  PARENTS,  AMOS  AND  HANNAH 
PEACOCK,  AND  THEIR  DEATH. 


(By  Elijah  Peacock.) 


Time,  Oh,  how  swiftly  it  is  passing, 
Swiftly  passing  away, 

Carrying  down  its  thousands 
In  its  currents  to  the  grave, 

And  I know  not  day  nor  hour, 

Or  the  midnight  cry  may  come 
And  summon  me  to  judgment 
From  my  family  and  my  home, 

And  the  messenger  will  not  await 
A preparation  long, 

But  may  hurry  its  victims  suddenly, 

Like  the  sounding  of  a gong. 

Its  been  upon  my  mind  of  late 
To  pen  a few  thoughts  down 
About  my  loving  parents,  dear, 

Who  lived  in  days  of  old  renown; 

But  the  task  I feel  incompetent 
Their  history  to  adorn, 

For  many  things  of  note  transpired 
Long  before  that  I was  born ; 

But  much  I have  heard  them  speak  about 
That’s  yet  in  memory  clear, 

And  by  us  children  now  that’s  left, 

Is  held  in  reverence  dear. 

In  North  Carolina’s  sunny  clime, 

In  seventeen  ninety-three, 

The  year  that  mother  there  was  bom, 

As  in  her  Bible  seen ; 

In  seventeen  hundred  and  eighty-seven 
My  father  too  was  born ; 

Of  honest  parents  came  they  of, 

Lived  near  each  other’s  farm; 

They  grew  up  as  children  often  do, 

They  knew  each  other  well, 

And  in  their  childhood  days  they  learned 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


3“ 


To  read  and  write  and  spell; 

But  little  education  then 
Was  enough  for  common  lore, 

But  father  had  a little  more 
Than  was  usual  held  in  store, 

And  rude  was  all  their  equipments  then, 
How  happy,  too,  they  were, 

And  coarse  their  garments  and  their  food, 
Yet  ’twas  their  daily  fare; 

But  hale  and  hearty  they  grew  up 
To  manhood  and  womanhood. 

They  feared  not  neither  heat  nor  cold, 

Nor  work  infield  or  wood; 

The  sound  of  ax  and  maul  then  fell 
Like  music  in  their  ears, 

And  cares  and  labors  .shared  alike 
Unto  maturer  years. 

But  now  the  time  had  fully  come 
When  they  took  each  other’s  hand, 

And,  according  to  the  rules  of  Friends, 
Were  joined  in  holy  bands. 

Near  eighteen  hundred  and  twelve  was  this, 
The  day  I havent  got, 

And  little  in  this  it  seemed 
Had  fallen  to  their  lot; 

But  contentment  was  their  greatest  gain 
While  in  that  sunny  clime, 

Until  a little  was  saved  up 
By  frugal  care  in  time. 

But  little  now  I know  of  them 
By  history  at  command, 

Until  thery’re  found  in  readiness 
For  a journey  to  Northern  lands. 

To  Indiana’s  fertile  state 
In  wagons  wend  their  way, 

With  few  relations  in  their  band 
They  journeyed  many  a day, 

’Till  they  came  to  Richmond,  a little  tow-r 
On  White  Water — rugged  stream. 

The  date,  as  near  as  I can  find, 

Was  eighteen  hundred  and  eighteen. 

There  one  crop  it  seems  they  raised 
And  then  were  Northern  bound, 

To  the  wild,  dense  forest  of  Randolph, 


312 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


Where  their  relatives  were  found. 

In  Wayne  township  and  county  named, 
In  section  thirty-one, 

In  range  fifteen,  a cabin  was  built, 

And  here  their  home  begun ; 

This,  too,  was  of  the  rudest  kind, 

No  lumber  near  was  bought; 

But  what  their  ax  and  maul  and  wedge, 
And  fro  had  fitted  out; 

But  rough  constructed  as  it  was 
In  it  content  to  dwell, 

And  soon,  before  their  willing  hands. 
The  mighty  forest  fell. 

Still  in  the  wilds  and  by  the  streams 
The  Indian  wigwam  found. 

And  by  their  dreadful  warhoop 
Once  made  the  woods  resound; 

And  often  to  their  cabin  door 
Those  forest  children  came 
And  shared  with  them  their  frugal  meal; 
They  turned  none  empty  away, 

Though  hardships  often  were  their  lot, 
And  scanty  their  means; 

They  labored  hard  and  faltered  not 
In  the  mighty  wooden  green, 

And  the  roaring  of  the  heavy  winds 
Through  the  tree  tops  standing  nigh, 

Or  the  howling  of  the  wolves 
Oft  their  nightly  lullaby. 

And  often  in  a needed  time 
They  were  supplied  with  game, 

And  ever  and  anon  it  fell 
Before  the  flint-lock’s  deadly  aim; 

And  many  a deer  and  turkey,  too, 

Their  life  blood  stained  the  ground, 

And  plenteous  in  those  early  days 
The  forest  did  abound ; 

Thus  in  the  absence  of  the  tame 
The  wild  meat  did  supply; 

Above  the  cabin’s  wide  fire  place 
It  often  hung  to  dry. 

Rude  was  their  furniture  here  too, 

Made  mostly  by  hands 

With  the  few  and  very  simple  tools 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


313 


They  had  at  their  command. 

Thus  labored  they  for  many  years, 

And  heart  and  hand  ’tis  true, 

While  both  the  family  and  the  farm 
It  large,  larger  grew, 

Until  the  cabin  wasi  too  small 
For  comfort  there  to  dwell; 

And  soon  another  house  was  built — 
For  it  large  trees  were  felled, 

Both  sides  were  hewn — a heavy  task — 
But  this  they  did  not  mind; 

The  neighbors  then  were  gathered  in, 
Who  were  so  very  kind, 

And  one  by  one  these  heavy  logs 
Were  placed  by  willing  hands; 

Two  stories  high  were  this  reared  up 
By  the  faithful  little  band ; 

A smaller  kitchen  on  the  west 
With  double  chimney  between 
Formed  a commodious  spacious  house 
As  seldom  there  was  seen. 

Here,  too,  it  was  commenced  my  life 
In  eighteen  thirty-one, 

With  brother  Elisha — twin  with  me — 
And  here  my  memory  began; 

Here,  too,  I’ll  pause  enough  to  say 
Nine  children  to  them  were  born; 

One  girl,  two  boys  were  called  away 
In  life’s  right  early  morn ; 

Two  sons  yet,  at  mature  age, 

Obey  death’s  surest  call. 

Two  sons,  two  daughters  yet  are  left, 

I,  the  youngest  of  them  all  ; 

But  onward  I must  press  with  this — 

No  time  nor  space  for  all — 

But  most  my  subjects  have  to  end 
With  a short  and  hasty  call. 

In  each  house  was  a wide  fireplace, 

So  common  in  those  days, 

Upon  its  broad  commodious  hearth 
The  cheerful  fire  blazed. 

By  these  the  cooking  then  was  done, 

No  stoves  were  here  in  use, 

' And  simple  were  the  vessels,  too — 


314 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


Their  memory  I cannot  loose. 

The  frying  pan  with  handle  long, 

And  skillet  large  and  wide, 

And  oven  where  the  corn-pones  baked 
By  the  fireplace’s  side; 

Here  to  the  mantle  by  a string 
The  spare  rib  hung  to  roast, 

So  sweet  and  nice  when  it  was  done 
That  of  it  kings  might  boast. 

The  “reflector”  then  was  brought  in  use 
And  baked  the  bread  so  nice; 

It  set  in  front  of  the  blazing  fire — 

The  heat  it  would  suffice. 

Within  the  kitchen  wide  fireplace 
The  iron  crane  was  swung; 

On  it  with  proper  iron  hooks 
The  dinner  pot  was  hung, 

And  here  was  boiled  and  cook  so  well 
The  mush  and  meat  and  beans, 

And  hominy,  that  heathful  food; 

In  summer  time  the  “greens.” 

I seem  to  almost  hear  it  seeth 
With  pot-pie  loaded  down; 

Of  all,  it  was  at  least  with  me, 

“Peach  cobbler”  took  the  crown. 

This  lucious  fruit  was  in  those  days 
Most  penteous  to  be  found, 

And  often  in  the  fall  of  year 
Lay  rotting  on  the  grqund. 

Fast  to  the  kitchen’s  western  wall 
By  where  the  table  stood 
Was  ever  found  the  old  “dough-break” 
Used  to  knead  the  dough  for  bread, 

And  underneath  the  old  stairway 
The  hominy  mortars  found, 

And  by  the  firelight’s  cheerful  blaze 
Its  pestle  oft  resound. 

To  beat  the  husks  from  off  the  grains 
Was  quite  laborous  work, 

Of  which,  with  me  as  one  at  least, 
Sometimes  inclined  to  shirk. 

This  was  one  of  our  staple  food, 

Used  in  the  winter  time, 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


315 


Which  gave  us  health  and  vigor,  too, 
Hard  labor  to  perform. 

And  yet  I almost  seem  to  hear 
The  hum  of  the  spinning  wheel 
Which  mother  and  the  girls  oft  plied, 
Also  the  clack  of  the  reel, 

Which  was  so  common  in  those  days. 
On  long,  long  winter  nights 
By  the  “high  trucks”  ever  brilliant  blaze, 
Or  the  candle’s  glimmering  light, 

The  huge  old  loom  that  father  made, 
Long  in  the  kitchen  stood 
Where  ever  and  anon  was  wove 
Our  usual  wearing  goods. 

The  same  hand,  too,  that  thus  prepared 
Our  clothing,  cut  and  made 
From  threads  of  little  spinning  wheel 
By  mother’s  feet  was  sped. 

The  old  distaff  of  dogwood  bough 
On  which  the  flax  was  wound, 

And  hour  after  hour  its  flyers 
Gave  forth  its  humming  sound; 

And  in  the  springtime  in  the  yard, 

Or  some  convenient  place  was  found, 
Long  webs  of  strongest  linen  cloth 
Lay  bleaching  on  the  ground. 

Thus  far  have  I some  items  gave 
Of  the  housework  then  performed 
By  faithful  mother  and  the  girls 
The  old  home  then  adorned. 

How  valiant  was  the  housewife  then — 
How  trusty  and  how  true — 

A tribute  to  their  memory 
I ever  think  is  due. 

And  now  I turn  to  outdoor  work — 

The  farming  part  I mean — 

Where  father’s  ever  ready  hand 
'Made  most  of  the  implements  seen. 

The  old  bar-share  with  wooden  mould 
Long  traced  the  furrows  through; 

Each  field,  however  long  or  short, 

It  turned  the  soil  when  new, 

And  still  was  used  when  I was  young. 
Though  many  years  have  flown 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


Since  first  the  virgin  soil  it  broke, 

But  large  the  crops  were  grown. 

The  cast  plow  then  was  introduced, 

Which  was  of  great  renown; 

Though  ill-shaped  as  compared  with  now, 
The  soil  turned  upside  down; 

The  old  bar-share  still  kept  in  use — 

I followed  it  many  a day — 

.And  dropped  the  corn  right  in  the  cross 
Where  it  had  passed  both  ways; 

And  then  to  tend  the  corn  ’twas  used, 

Three  furrows  between  each  row, 

To  clear  the  weeds  from  out  the  hill 
We  used  to  ply  the  hoe. 

And  when  the  wheat  was  fully  ripened, 
With  the  sickles  in  their  hands 
To  the  fields  was  seen  a-marching 
Every  able  boy  and  man. 

Though  the  work  was  slow  and  tedious, 
And  in  the  midst  of  burning  sun, 

Yet  they  went  on  still  unflinching 
’Till  the  field  was  fully  done. 

Then  soon  followed  in  its  wake 
The  making  of  the  hay; 

Here  father  with  his  ready  scythe 
Mostly  led  the  way. 

No  horse  was  used  for  raking  up, 

But  all  was  done  by  hand, 

With  wooden  pitchfork  and  small  rake — 
All  we  had  at  our  command. 

When  fully  cured  ’twas  placed  in  cocks, 
When  the  weather  was  nice  and  warm; 
With  rope  and  pole  and  horse  attached 
’Twas  dragged  into  the  bam. 

So  far  have  I somewhat  described 
Their  modes  of  work  ’tis  true, 

This  generation  for  to  show, 

The  hardships  they  passed  through, 

That  they  may  prize  their  privilege. 

That  they  may  now  enjoy, 

Above  that  in  those  early  days, 

So  much  labor  did  enjoy. 

Notwithstanding  all  of  this 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


317 


My  parents  prospered  well. 

In  basket  and  in  store  were  blessed, 

In  peace  and  love  to  dwell. 

And  here  Til  pause  awhile  and  say 
The  profession,  they  did  adorn, 

Was  of  the  society  of  Friends, 

Members  of  which  they  were  born. 

Elders  were  they  in  high  esteem 
And  faithful  did  they  serve, 

Neither  to  the  right  nor  left 
Could  they  be  made  to  swerve. 

Though  few  their  words  ’twas  easy  told 
By  action  more  than  they 
Their  Master’s)  voice  they  often  heard 
And  willingly  obeyed. 

How  devoted  were  they  in  the  truth 
As  owned  and  believed  by  Friends. 

The  poor  and  needy  had  them  lent 
Their  ready  helping  hand. 

Mounted  upon  their  favorite  steeds 
To  meeting  usually  went, 

Neither  heat  nor  cold  nor  storms  of  rain 
This  duty  seldom  prevent, 

To  White  River  and  Dunkirk 
And  Cherry  Grove  they  rode 
And  Richmond  and  Newgarden,  too, 

Took  the  patient  beasts  their  load. 
******** 

But  I must  haste  along  with  this 
Already  growing  long 
In  which  the  truth  I want  to  tell, 

And  no  one  ere  to  wrong. 

Years  rolled  on  and  with  it  came 
Improvements  thick  and  fast, 

And  I and  Elisha  larger  grew. 

It  lightens  much  the  task, 

For  now  the  family  had  married  and  gone. 

Save  us  two  boys  alone, 

With  Father  and  Mother  all  that’s  left 
At  our  old  ancient  home, 

And  age  was  creaping  slowly  on, 

Their  cheeks  were  much  care-worn, 

By  the  hardships  they’d  passed  through, 

And  we  was  nearly  grown. 


3i8 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


But  He  who  rules  and  reigns  above 
And  doeth  all  things  well, 

Saw  best  to  take  our  father  away, 

No  longer  here  to  dwell. 

No  longer  to  enjoy  their  home, 

Nor  the  dear  ones  here  he  loved. 

To  join  the  hosts  above, 

In  eighteen  fifty,  seventh  month, 

The  twenty-fourth  the  day, 

We  all  were  summoned  to  the  bed, 

No  longer  could  he  stay. 

Oh,  how  affecting  was  the  scene, 

Those  loving  ones  to  part, 

So  long  had  together  dwelt, 

Joined  truly  as  one  heart, 
j Each  others  burdens  long  had  borne, 

In  joy,  sorrow  and  toil, 

No  earthly  power  had  yet  availed, 

Those  kindred  ties  to  foil. 

They  embraced  each  other  in  their  arms 
In  the  dearest  bonds  of  love, 

Lit  by  the  “well-spring”  from  on  high 
That’s  gentle  like  a dove. 

And  peacefully  he  passed  away, 

We  hope  he’s  gone  to  rest, 

With  all  the  ransomed  and  redeemed 
i To  the  home  where  all  are  blessed. 

The  heart  that  ever  beat  so  warm 
Zions  mission  to  fulfill, 

Ceased  its  pulsations  here  on  earth 
And  was  forever  still. 

But,  Oh ! we  missed  at  our  home 
His  council  and  cheering  words, 

So  much  for  which  he  was  noted  for, 

No  more  could  now  be  heard. 

So  did  the  meeting  feel  his  loss 
Wh.ere  he  long  sat  at  the  head 
And  served  it  there  so  faithfully, 

In  business  rather  led. 

In  which  transaction  far  excelled 
Most  of  the  members  here, 

And  readily  he  sake  his  mind 
In  meekness,  love  and  fear. 

But  heavily  did  mother  feel  * 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


The  stroke  upon  her  fall, 

And  patiently  she  did  submit 
To  the  blessed  Master’s  call. 

She  knew  the  promise  He’d  fulfill 
To  those  His  will  had  done, 

A father  to  the  fatherless, 

And  a husband  to  the  widow  ones. 

The  few  years  now  that  did  elapse 
We  three  lived  there  alone, 

Until  I married  and  moved  away 
To  a home  that  was  my  own. 

And  faithful  Elisha  stayed  with  her, 

And  provided  with  tender  care 
The  comforts  that  she  needed  here. 

No  pains  he  seemed  to  spare. 
******** 

Near  a dozen  years  had  rolled  away, 

Disease  had  seized  her  frame, 

So  severe  and  painful  as  it  was, 

She  almost  helpless  came; 

Yet  more  afflictions  lay  in  store, 

For  in  eighteen  sixty-five 
Elisha,  too,  was  stricken  down, 

But  few  days  did  survive. 

While  yet  upon  the  cooling  board. 

She  tottered  to  his  side, 

Bent  over  his  lifeless  form  and  said: 

“He  was  an  obedient  child.” 

Heavy,  heavy  did  we  feel 
The  stroke  upon  us  fall, 

And  to  our  aged,  feeble  mother 
More  than  any  one,  or  all. 

But  He  who  rules  and  reigns  above, 

Her  hopes  were  on  Him  stayed, 

She  knew  would  lend  a helping  hand, 

Deep  waters  yet  to  wade. 

To  leave  her  dear  old  ancient  home 
No  little  trial  it  seemed, 

And  neighbors,  and  her  loving  friends, 

Long  held  in  high  esteem. 

Her  choice  it  seemed  was  now  to  go 
To  sister  Anna’s  home, 

Not  far  from  twenty  miles  away, 

Near  a place  called  Poplar  Run. 


320  RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 

But  meek  and  quiet  this  was  done — 

She  saw  them  never  more, 

For  soon  it  was  destined  that  she 
Should  leave  this  world  of  woe. 

.With  willing  hands  and  tender  care 
They  watched  her  while  she  lived, 

The  needed  comforts  here  to  add 
They  most  cheerfully  would  give. 

Once  on  a visit  when  I came 
Dear  Anna  Hobbs  was  there, 

Who  many  years  had  fed  the  flocks 
« With  deep  and  earnest  care. 

Her  tender  voice  I often  heard 

In  broken  accents  plead 

To  turn  our  minds  more  unto  Christ, 

His  inward  voice  to  heed. 

But,  Oh!  how  solemn  was  the  scene 
For  those  aged  pilgrims  to  part, 

No  more  to  meet  on  earth  again, 

Sank  deep  into  our  hearts. 

Ever  modest  was  their  apparel, 

Unspotted  of  the  world, 

Just  waiting  their  blessed  Master’s  call, 
Whose  banner  they’d  long  unfurled. 

Not  long  did  mother  have  to  wait — 

Her  longed  for  message  came 
To  relieve  her  of  her  suffering  here, 
j 4 ' She  patiently  bore  in  His  name. 

\ In  eighteen  sixty-seven  it  was 

li*  ^ And  ninth  month,  eighth  the  day, 

As  though  one  fallen  into  sleep 
She  quietly  passed  away. 

A heavenly  smile  it  seemed  remained 
Long  shone  upon  her  face, 

The  Master’s  image  did  reflect 
Through  His  ever  blessed  grace, 

But  a secret  joy  sprang  upward, 

Rose  above  all  sorrow  and  grief, 

That  she  was  gathered  a ripened  shock, 
Bringing  with  her  many  a shief. 

Side  by  side  in  yonder  graveyard 
Were  their  bodies  laid  to  rest, 

Some  modest  grave  stones  at  their  heads 
Dates  their  birth  and  age  of  death. 


LIBRARY 

UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 
URBANA 


CAPT.  W.  D.  STONE 


MRS.  W.  D.  STONE 


LIBRARY 

UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 
URBANA 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


,21 


CHAPTER  V. 


UNION  CITY,  Ind.,  June  8,  8196. 

Mrs.  M.  C.  Lynch: — Your  postal  requesting  me  to  write 
something  for  your  forthcoming  book  came  to  hand  this  after- 
noon, and  I write  some  of  the  antics,  some  of  the  historical  facts, 
some  of  the  crosses,  some  of  the  losses,  some  of  the  escapes  from 
dangerous  accidents,  some  of  the  toils  of  a hard  fate  in  life,  some 
of  the  trials  of  a back-woodsman’s  struggle  for  existence  in  the 
real  battle  for  success  on  earth,  some  of  the  exciting  scenes  of  my 
life  while  fighting  for  my'  country  upon  the  hard  fought  battle 
fields,  of  two  wars,  through  which,  to  maintain  its  honor,  its 
existence  and  perpetuity,  this  glorious  republic  marched  to  vic- 
tory and  to  glory,  and  maintained  its  honor,  its  dignity,  its  unity, 
and  perpetuity. 

Erza  Stone,  my  father,  was  born  in  New  Jersey;  Elizabeth 
Dye,  my  mother,  was  born  in  Ohio.  These  two  were  married  in 
1816.  To  this  union  were  born  six  children,  three  boys  and  three 
girls.  Of  these,  Asachel,  the  oldest,  whose  life  is  prominently 
connected  with  the  development  of  Randolph  County,  materi- 
ally, socially  and  politically,  died  in  1891,  after  a short  but  painful 
sickness.  He  was  prominent  in  both  state  and  county  affairs. 
He  had  represented  this  county  in  both  the  House  of  Representa- 
tives and  State  senate.  He  also  took  a prominent  part  in  the 
Union  cause  in  the  great  Rebellion,  having  served  both  as  com- 
missary general  and  quarter-master  general  under  Governor 
Morton  during  the  most  of  the  war  period.  His  remains  are 
buried  in  the  beautiful  cemetery  he  laid  out  and  donated  to  the 
city  of  Winchester,  Randolph  County,  Ind. 

The  writer  hereof  was  born  in  Cincinnati,  Hamilton  County, 
Ohio,  June  16th,  1826.  His  parents  were  poor  in  this  world’s 
goods,  but  had  a good  reputation  as  honest,  pious  Christians. 
Father  was  a strict  Baptist,  while  mother  was  a most  devout 


32  2 


RANDOLPH  CONUT V. 


Methodist.  I was  always  known  as  “Mother's  boy.”  The  older 
children  tormented  me  a great  deal  for  always  siding  with  mother. 
It  is  said  that  “every  one  has  his  price.”  In  the  saying  there  is 
“more  truth  than  poetry.”  My  first  distinct  desire  was  for  a pair 
of  “red-top  boots!”  This  was  the  soft  spot,  the  salient  point.  I 
was  about  four  years  of  age.  I sold  out,  soul,  body  and  heart. 
I was  honest  in  the  transfer.  The  boots  came.  I was  no  longer 
“mother’s  bay!”  I was  “pap’s  booted  man!”  I was  tormented 
by  all  the  children  of  the  family.  Five  of  us  were  then  living.  I 
am  still  impressed  with  the  fact  that  nearly  every  child  of  that 
household  could  show  bruises  made  by  those  boot  toes  I had 
always  gone  to  church  with  mother.  My  parents  would  go  to  the 
front  gate  together  then  mother  would  start  east  and  father  west 
to  their  respective  churches.  This  was  a part  of  the  bargain.  I 
had  not  considered ; I paused  at  the  gat.  Father  and  mother  had 
gone  two  or  three  steps  and  paused.  The  war  was  raging  in 
their  hearts  as  deadly  as  in  mine.  Father  spoke:  “Hurry  up; 

go  with  one  of  us.”  Just  then  I got  a glvmpse  of  my  boots  and 
jumped  to  father.  Looking  back  I saw  mother  wipe  tears  from 
her  eyes.  She  had  lost  her  boy!  No!  She  had  saved  a soul 
for  whom  she  would  have  died!  Upon  our  return  home  I was 
taunted  by  the  other  children  till  I was  almost  crazed  for  being  a 
“turn-coat.”  I pulled  the  boots  off,  slammed  them  on  the  floor 
in  defiance,  and  from  that  moment  those  boots  never  were  again 
put  on  my  feet.  From  that  day  to  this  no  power  can  compel  me 
to  do  what  I believe  to  be  wrong. 

My  father  was  a carpenter  bv  trade,  and  frequently  he  would 
go  to  New  Orleans  in  the  fall  and  back  to  Cincinnati.  Usually 
he  would  leave  my  mother  and  the  children  in  Cincinnati  during 
the  summer  and  return  in  the  fall.  In  1837  he  moved  the  family 
to  New  Orleans.  That  summer  my  mother  and  one  sister  died 
in  New  Orleans  and  were  buried  there.  In  1838  my  brother  and 
wife  moved  to  Winchester,  Randolph  County,  Ind.  Father  and 
I returned  to  New  Orleans,  and  in  1839  we  returned  to  Win- 
chester, and  father  bought  a farm  near  town,  including  a part  of 
the  present  Fair  ground.  Upon  this  farm  I lived  and  worked  for 
father  till  1847,  when  contrary  to  his  advice  and  wishes,  I left 
home  and  volunteered  in  the  Mexican  war.  My  father  and 
brother,  General  A.  Stone,  saved  the  letters  I wrote  to  them 
while  there.  These  letters  are  rich  and  racy,  and  many  young- 
sters call  at  my  home  to  hear  the  Mexican  letters  read.  I also 
kept  a dairy,  one-half  of  which  is  still  preserved,  giving  an  ac- 
count of  every  important  move  made  by  our  forces.  In  this 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


323 


many  of  my  tantrams  and  oddities  are  made  amusing  by  their 
drolleries.  I was  in  several  battles  and  skirmishes.  Was  injured 
in  my  left  knee  by  the  explosion  of  the  steamer  Ann  Chase,  which 
attempted  to  transport  us  from  New  Orleans  to  Brazos.  Several 
men  were  killed  or  injured  by  this  explosion.  Sixty-five  of  us 
got  ashore  on  the  Louisiana  coast  and  marched  through  swamps, 
thickets  and  canebrakes  to  Sabin  City,  Texas,  sixty-five  miles. 
Some  perished  on  the  route.  From  Sabin  we  were  taken  by  a 
sail  vessel  to  Galveston.  Thereon  to  the  Rio  Grande  to  Taylor’s 
army.  We  were  then  ordered  to  Vere  Cruz  to  General  Scott,  on 
the  road  to  the  City  of  Mexico.  When  we  arrived  at  Vere  Cruz 
Scott  had  started  to  the  “Halls  of  the  Montezumas.”  The  Mexi- 
cans had  many  of  them  gotten  in  Scott’s  rear  and  re-occupied  the 
route. 


324 


RANDOLPH  CONUTY. 


CHAPTER  VI. 


LYNN,  Ind.,  May  15,  1896. 

Mrs.  A.  S.  Lynch,  Decatur,  Ind.: — As  per  agreement  I will 
write  “just  a little.” 

I was  born  in  Randolph  County,  North  Carolina,  September 
27th,  1826.  My  father  having  died  about  five  or  six  years 
after  my  birth,  mother,  with  nine  of  us,  seven  boys  and  two  girls, 
I the  youngest,  moved  to  Randolph  County,  Ind.,  in  the  spring 
of  1831,  and  I live  now  on  the  land  she  entered  from  the  govern- 
ment, (I  having  since  bought  it  of  her)  and  built  a log  house  on 
it.  In  the  fall  her  and  I,  with  a man  to  show  the  land  to  us, 
came  to  hunt  a place  for  the  house,  the  woods  was  so  thick  we 
could  not  ride  on  horse-back,  but  had  to  hitch  and  walk  it  was  so 
very  heavy  timber  and  thick  of  underbrush,  and  now  at  this  time 
there  is  not  a stick  of  timber  on  it,  only  as  I have  grown  them 
since  1850.  Oh,  but  we  had  fun  cutting  the  lareg  trees  and  dig- 
ging the  small  ones  up  by  the  roots,  called  grubbing.  I have 
picked  and  burned  brush  many  nights  till  10  o’clock  and  thought 
it  good  sport,  etc.  Well,  after  a while  I began  to  think  I was  a 
man;  got  married  in  1845,  and  being  pretty  well  off  in  the  world 
(having  a yearling  colt  and  $6.50  in  money,  all  my  wealth)  when 
married,  so  concluded  to  get  good  property  to  start  with,  viz.: 
my  first  bedstead, had  but  one  post,  and  needed  no  more,  as  the 
house  was  made  of  round  logs  and  I had  only  to  bore  holes  in 
the  log*s  in  one  corner  of  the  house,  which  met  in  one  post  from 
the  corner;  then  small  poles  were  put  in  the  holes  in  the  logs, 
and  laid  on  the  side  rails  to  use  for  cord  or  slats,  as  is  now  used, 
but  we  slept  first-rate  after  a hard  day’s  work  in  the  woods.  The 
floor  of  the  house  was  split  instead  of  sawed  lumber ; it  was  called 
a puncheon  floor;  the  roof  was  slit  or  rove  clapboards,  and  the 
roof  was  the  ceiling  or  loft  floor ; and  in  the  winter  I have  walked 
from  the  bed  to  the  fire  place  of  a morning  ankle  deep  in  snow\ 
Boys,  how  would  you  like  to  get  up  out  of  bed  in  snow  ankle 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


325 


deep  to  build  fires  now,  eh?  Was  but  one  door  hung,  and  to 
open  outside,  and  a big  crack  between  two  logs  for  a window. 
I found  a muskrat  under  our  bed  one  day  helping  himself  to  a 
water  melon.  I got  the  gun  and  shot  him  while  he  was  stealing 
my  melon;  so  look  out,  boys,  when  you  think  of  stealing  melons, 
and  think  of  the  fate  of  the  muskrat.  Our  diet  was  all  kinds  of 
bread  that  could  be  made  of  corn,  from  mush  to  ash  cake,  etc. 
Our  meat  was  wild  game  and  none  a general  rule.  Well,  you  will 
see  by  my  writing,  spelling  and  grammar  that  I had  some  school- 
ing. To  illustrate  and  give  some  idea  of  it,  I will  say  the  school 
house  was  a log  house,  puncheon  floor,  puncheon  benches,  stick 
and  cfay  chimney  in  one  of  the  house  big  enough  for  log  fires; 
house  in  the  woods,  not  fenced  in!  hogs  could  get  under  the 
floor.  An  incident,  one  day  when  cold,  the  hogs  got  under  the 
floor  as  near  the  fire  as  they  could,  and  in  their  scuffle  to  keep 
warm,  the  tail  of  one  hog  stuck  up  through  a crack  in  the  floor; 
a mischievious  boy,  rich  enough  to  carry  a jack-knife,  slipped  his 
knife  out  and  taking  hold  of  the  hog’s  tail  with  one  hand,  knife  in 
the  other  hand,  cut  the  tail  off  and  threw  it  on  the  live  coals, 
where  it  curled  about  as  if  yet  alive,  which  made  a little  girl  (who 
is  now  my  sister-in-law;  she  is  now  older)  laugh  out  loud,  which 
caused  the  teacher  to  investigate,  with  switch  in  hand.  I will 
not’  now  say  the  boy  ever  cut  another  pig’s  tail  off  in  time  of 
school  to  cook  for  his  dinner.  So  you  see  how  schools  were  then. 
I could  fill  a bo6k  with  similar  incidents  of  school  and  farm  life 
in  early  times,  &c.  One  incident  of  church  life  in  early  times: 
Mother  was  a Quakeress  and  consequently  we  all  had  birthrights 
in  that  society,  and  as  their  meetings  are  very  different  now  and 
then,  I will  say  we  never  had  music  of  any  kind  in  church,  and 
and  occasionally  reaching;  we  went  to  meeting  twice  each  week, 
to  sit  still  and  quiet  and  think.  The  older  ones  in  secret  worship 
if  so  disposed,  and  some  to  sleep  and  nod,  and  us  boys  to  think  in 
some  cases  of  mischief.  The  house  of  logs  and  the  south  door- 
step was  about  two  feet  to  the  floor  from  the  ground,  and  the  door 
shut  from  the  outside  of  the  house,  and  there  was  a young  man, 
a tall,  gangling  fellow,  always  sitting  in  the  summer,  on  the  end 
of  a bench  at  the  door,  with  his  head  in  his  hands,  elbows  on  his 
knees,  facing  the  door  to  get  the  cool  air;  and  to  show  you  how 
evil  the  writer  was,  I one  day  saw  him  begin  to  nod,  and  a wish 
or  prayer  instantly  went  through  my  evil  brain  that  his  elbows 
might  slip  off  his  knees,  and  the  next  instant  my  wish  was  fully 
answered  and  he  went  head  foremost  to  the  ground  with  his  bare 
10-  inch  feet  and  legs  to  his  knees  sticking  up  at  about  45  degrees 
inside.  He  could  not  get  up  until  he  crawled  out  on  all  fours, 


326 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


which  he  did,  and  then  returned  to  hihself,  but  did  not  sleep  any 
more  that  meeting.  The  old  friends  did  not  tell  me  to  laugh.  I 
did  so  without  any  telling;  so  did  some  others.  Well,  that  was 
at  old  Quaker  Lynn,  many  years  ago.  Not  many  living  now 
that  were  there  that  day,  and  that  young  man  has  since  got  old 
and  died  a good  Christian,  and  I have  no  doubt  is  now  happy. 
He  has  some  children  and  grandchildren  here  yet;  and  now  we 
have  a new  Quaker  Lynn  that  no  one  could  well  go  to  sleep  in 
time  of  worship,  as  it  is  lively  with  song  and  prayer.  As  there  is 
now  six  recorded  ministers  that  belongs  to  that  class  and  they 
know  how  to  sing  praises  as  well  as  preach,  and  it  is  probably  one 
of  the  best  and  most  lively  class  in  the  county  at  present.  Quite 
a change  since  my  boyhood  days.  (I  am  and  old  boy,  now). 
But  one  more  incident  of  the  old  Quaker  Lynn;  (pardon  me  for 
telling  such)  it  was  in  the  first  frame  house;  it  had  a raised  gallery 
of  three  benches,  then  raised  floor  back  to  the  door,  where  the 
raise  of  each  part  began,  were  two  benches,  where  people  sat 
facing  each  other;  the  old  friends  sat  there  and  sometimes  twirled 
their  thumbs  until  nodding.  One  time  I sat  watching  two  old 
brothers  with  their  hats  off  until  the  got  to  nodding  with  their 
heads  very  close  to  each  other,  and  as  in  the  other  case,  my  evil 
thought  said  how  I desired  to  see  their  heads  come  together,  as 
I had  seen  sleeers  do,  and  I did  not  have  to  wait  over  one  minute 
until  the  bald  spots  hit  each  other.  They  waked  without  any  one 
shaking  them,  and  as  I did  before,  laughed  without  any  telling. 
Enough,  I am  old  now,  and  do  not  make  such  prayers  as  I did 
then,  but  still  attend  Quaker  Lynn  meeting,  not  as  it  used  to  be, 
but  as  it  is  now;  and  I humbly  ask  all  that  reads  this,  if  passing 
this  way  in  Quaker  meeting  time,  to  spend  one  hour  at  meeting, 
and  I assure  you  sleeping,  &c.,  will  not  be  seen  now,  but  you  will 
have  to  say,  surely  the  Lord  has  done  great  things  for  Quaker 
Lynn ; and  if  religiously  inclined  you  will  say  it  is  good  to  be  there. 
You  will  not  be  treated  to  any  such  freaks  as  I have  stated  hap- 
pened at  old  Quaker  Lynn,  for  this  is  now  one  of  the  best  meet- 
ings for  life  in  reach  of  Lynn,  and  but  very  few  of  us  that  were 
young  sixty  years  ago  will  be  seen  there  now.  I am  trying  to 
live  right,  &c.  As  I think  my  note  is  long  enough  I will  let  some 
one  else  tell  of  the  fun  and  games  of  brogue,  &c.,  we  had  at  log 
rollings,  raisings,  &c.  I had  the  honor  of  killing  the  last  wild 
deer  that  passed  through  our  township.  That  has  been  many 
years  ago. 

You  will  have  to  curtail  and  add  to  make  this  grammatically 
fit  to  read,  &c.,  as  I know  nothing  of  grammar,  &c. 

Respectfully,  JACOB  A.  HINSHAW. 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


327 


CHAPTER  VII. 

KIVE  GENERATIONS. 

Richard  Williams. 

Rev.  Daniel  Williams. 

Nathan  Hunt  Williams. 

Joel  Hiat  Williams. 

Carlton  O.  Williams. 

Richard  Williams,  the  first  part  of  this  sketch;  his  birth,  life 
and  death  is  but  little  known  to  the  writer,  therefore  will  only  say 
that  he  was  a resident  of  Guilford  County,  North  Carolina,  near 
the  Friends’  meeting  house,  known  as  New  Garden. 

Rev.  Daniel  Williams,  the  second  part  of  this  work,  was  born 
near  New  Garden  meeting  house  in  Guilford  County,  N.  C.,  8th 
month,  23d  day,  1792,  died  near  Richmond,  Ind.,  8th  month,  14th 
day,  1873. 

He  was  a renowned  and  devoted  minister  of  the  Gospel,  be- 
longing to  the  denomination  of  Friends.  His  early  life  was  spent 
in  North  Carolina,  then  Pennsylvania,  near  Philadelphia,  from 
whence  he  moved,  in  1833,  near  to  the  place  of  his  death. 

In  1814  he  was  married  to  Margaret  Janes,  who  died  in  1821, 
leaving  five  children,  Lydia,  Rebecca,  Susan,  Nathan  and  Mary. 

About  the  year  1815  he  began  the  work  of  the  ministery,  and 
was  recorded  as  such  within  a year  after  he  began  the  work.  In 
1823  he  was  married  to  his  second  wife,  Mrs.  Margaret  Shoe- 
maker, which  was  again  broken  in  later  years  by  the  death  of  the 
wife.  By  this  union  there  were  six  children,  Solomon,  Jesse, 
Jacob,  Sarah,  Margaret  and  Daniel. 

In  1848  he  was  married  to  his  third  wife,  Lydia  Rider,  who 
survived  him  by  about  eight  years.  By  this  union  there  was  one 
child,  K.  R.  Williams.  Daniel  was  known  especially  in  the  de- 
nomination to  which  he  belonged,  in  many  parts  of  the  country 
for  his  many  acts  of  kindness  and  good  deeds.  He  made  several 
extended  religious  visits’  two  or  three  of  which  were  to  the  old 
world,  Great  Britian  and  Ireland,  at  which  time  and  place  was 
spent  in  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord,  endeavoring  to  win  precious 
souls  to  God  and  from  an  endless  ruin.  He  became  so  feeble 
before  his  death  that  he  would  sit  down  to  finish  preaching.  Be- 
fore his  death  he  made  a request  that  four  of  his  grandsons  (as  he 
thought  a great  deal  of  his  grandchildren)  should  convey  him  to 
his  grave  and  let  him  down,  which  was  complied  with  . 


328 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


At  this  time  the  number  of  offsprings  is  as  follows: 


Children 12 

Grandchildren  125 

Greatgrandchildren  187 

Great  great  grandchildren 11 


Total  number,  including  marriages,  &c.  . .335 
Before  closing  with  the  sketch  of  Daniel  Williams  we  will 
give  one  of  the  incidents  of  his  life,  recorded  by  Daniel  Hill  (in 
his  Reminiscences  of  Nathan  Hunt)  who  said  in  connection  with 
the  influence  that  the  older  may  have  upon  the  young — let  me 
pause  here  a moment  and  relate  the  following  circumstance,  re- 
lated to  me  by  the  venerable  Daniel  Williams,  of  Wayne  County, 
Ind.,  during  the  winter  of  1872.  Myself  and  family  during  that 
winter  lived  next  door  and  often  went  to  spend  a social  hour 
with  Bro.  Williams.  One  evening  he  said  to  me: 

“I  remember  well  the  visit  of  Nathan  Hunt  to  my  father’s 
house  when  I was  only  a boy  of  8 or  10  years.  I stood  in  the 
corner  near  the  great  fire  place  and  listened  to  the  conversation  be- 
tween him  and  my  parents.  When  dinner  was  announced  and 
as  they  passed  to  the  kitchen,  for  our  dinning  room  and  the 
kitchen  were  all  one,  as  he  passed  me  he  laid  his  hand  upon  my 
head  and  said,  ‘God  bless  thee,  lad,  what  is  thy  name,  my  son?’  I 
told  him,  ‘Daniel  Williams;’  he  said,  ‘Well,  Daniel,  if  thou  wilt 
be  true  and  faithful  to  thy  heavenly  father,  thou  wilt  cross  the 
ocean  and  stand  before  kings  and  princess  for  His  name’s  sake.’ 
It  made  a deep  impression  on  my  mind  at  that  time,  but  as  years 
passed  away  I forgot  it.  A few  years  later  my  parents  moved  to 
the  west,  as  we  called  Indiana  then,  and  in  the  course  of  time  I 
became  a preacher.  I traveled  much  in  the  Master’s  service,  and 
finally  I felt  impressed  to  cross  the  ocean  and  visit  old  England. 
I obtained  a minute  of  concurrance  from  my  monthly  and  quar- 
terly meetings  and  it  was  endorsed  by  the  yearly  meeting.  I 
started  on  my  mission.  When  I got  on  board  the  great  ship  at 
New  York  and  had  sailed  on  through  the  narrows,  soon  our  ship 
began  to  roll  on  the  great  Atlantic  ocean.  I got  to  thinking  on 
my  position,  when  it  occured  to  me  I had  made  a great  mistake. 
It  was  all  wrong.  I had  undertaken  a mission  that  I was  not 
fitted  for.  I thought  that  not  only  had  I made  a mistake,  but 
that  my  monthly  and  quarterly  and  even  my  yearly  meetings 
had  all  made  a great  mistake  in  allowing  me  to  undertake  such  a 
mission.  I was  greatly  distressed.  I did  not  know  what  to  do. 
When  all  at  once  the  memory  of  Grandfather  Hunt’s  blessings 
on  me,  as  he  laid  his  hand  upon  my  head,  when  a boy,  now  flashed 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


329 


across  my  mind.  I seemed  to  feel  his  warm  hand  again,  I could 
hear  the  tones  of  his  voice  as  he  said,  ‘Thou  shalt  stand  before 
kings  and  princess  for  His  name’s  sake:  Instantly  all  fear  left 

me.  I had  no  further  difficulty ; I realized  that  I was  in  my  right 
place.  I performed  my  Master’s  service  in  the  old  world  and  re- 
turned to  my  native  land  with  great  peace  and  joy.” 

Nathan  H.  Willims,  the  third  part  of  this  sketch,  was  born 
near  Philadelphia,  Penn,  1st  month,  5th,  1820,  and  with  his  pa- 
rents moved  to  Wayne  County,  Ind.,  about  the  twelfth  year  of  his 
age.  The  greater  portion  of  his  life  was  spent  in  farming  and 
carpentering.  In  1841  he  was  married  to  Mary  Ann,  daughter 
of  Thomas  and  Sarah  Brown,  both  of  whom  have  since  died  in 
Winchester.  After  marriage  he  moved  to  Randolph  County, 
near  Spartansburg.  By  this  union  there  were  five  children,  Eli- 
zabeth, Luther,  Mahala,  Joel  and  Wesley. 

In  1853  he  removed  to  a 40-acre  farm  near  Olive  Branch, 
same  county,  at  which  place  he  spent  the  most  part  of  his  after 
life,  until  death,  which  occured  1st  month,  15th,  1887.  Mary 
Ann,  his  wife,  died  3rd  month,  5th,  1857,  and  he  broke  up  house- 
keeping and  the  children  separated  no  telling  when  to  meet  again. 
But  in  1858  he  was  remarried  to  Sarah  Milner,  and  the  children 
were  again  brought  home.  Sad  to  relate,  but  this  union  of  wife 
and  husband,  mother  and  children,  were  soon  broken  by  the  death 
of  the  mother.  Elizabeth,  the  oldest  of  the  children,  now  being 
of  sufficient  age,  took  up  the  responsibilities  of  the  house  work. 
In  1861  he  was  re-married  to  his  third  wife.  Mrs.  Eliza  McKee, 
who  still  survives  and  lives  on  the  old  home  farm.  By  this  union 
there  were  three  children,  Alice,  Robert  and  Daniel,  the  second 


having  died  when  an  infant. 

At  this  time  the  offsprings  is  as  follows: 

No.  of  children 8 

No.  of  grandchildren 32 

No.  of  great  grandchildren 1 

Total  number,  including  marriages,  &c.  . . .51 


Joel  H.  Williams,  the  fourth  part  of  this  sketch,  and  the 
writer  of  the  whole,  was  born  in  Fountain  City,  Wayne  County, 
Ind.,  7th  month,  7th,  1850.  When  lees  than  a year  old,  with  his 
parents  moved  to  this  county  (Randolph)  and  settled  on  a farm 
near  Spartansburg.  In  1853  removed  to  a farm  near  Olive 
Branch,  same  county.  His  mother  died  when  but  a child,  leav- 
ing him  without  the  tender  care  and  kind  advice  of  a loving 
mother.  He  was  sent  to  live  with  his  uncle  in  Wavne  Countv. 


330 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY 


where  he  was  brought  up  under  the  strict  teachings  of  friends. 
Later  on  his  father  having  re-married,  he  was  brought  back  to  his 
old  home,  at  which  place  he  remained  until  he  arrived  at  the  age 
of  19,  at  which  time  he  went  forward  for  himself  in  the  great  battle 
of  life,  first  working  by  the  month  for  John  Clayton  on  a farm 
near  Farmland.  The  most  part  of  his  education  was  obtained  at 
Olive  Branch,  the  first  part  of  which  was  in  the  old  log  school 
house,  with  seats  or  benches  as  they  were  called,  made  from  legs 
and  no  backs;  he  remember  of  an  incident  once  when  a little 
one  became  sleepy,  top-heavy  or  over-balanced  and  the  floor 
caught  it  from  behind,  and  then  it  said  to  its  sister  in  a loud  voice, 
“Jane,  why  didn’t  you  ketch  me?”  The  writing  desks  were  made 
by  boring  slanting  holes  in  the  wall,  placing  wooden  pins  in  the 
same  on  which  was  nailed  a wide  plank.  As  the  ink  would  not 
sit  on  this  inclined  plank  it  had  to  be  placed  in  the  windows.  The 
writing  pens  were  made  from  the  goose  quill.  When  the  teacher 
gave  the  signal  or  play  the  books  from  all  parts  of  the  room  would 
go  flying  for  the  writing  desk,  helter  skelter,  sometimes  knocking 
the  ink  to  the  floor  and  making  a general  splash  which  was  only 
a small  matter  at  that  time; — all  eager  to  get  to  the  play  ground. 
“Black  man’”  and  “bull  pen”  were  the  leading  games  of  the  day; 
“Molly  Brown”  came  in  later  on.  As  a signal  that  some  one  was 
out  in  time  of  books,  the  teacher  had  varied  ways.  One  was  a 
little  board  or  shingle  on  one  side  of  which  was  the  word  “out,” 
on  the  other  side  “in;”  the  shingle  had  to  be  turned  in  either 
leaving  the  room  or  returning  so  as  to  show  the  condition  of 
affairs  inwardly  and  outwardly. 

Another  was  a forked  stick  to  be  placed  in  the  window  near 
the  door,  which  was  to  be  taken  by  the  one  leaving  the  room  and 
returned  to  its  proper  place  when  coming  in.  Sometimes  the 
little  ones  (as  was  the  case  once  with  the  writer)  would  forget  and 
leave  the  forked  stick  at  the  other  end  of  the  route,  thereby  caus7 
ing  an  extra  trip  into  the  deep  wood. 

My  first  teacher.  Lib  Stark,  was  an  old  foggy;  had  her  bed 
in  one  corner  of  the  school  room  and  would  cook  a part  of  her 
victuals  on  the  school  stove. 

Once  upon  a time  my  father  came  home  from  town  and 
brought  me  a new  primer.  The  next  day  I gathered  my  new 
book  and  off  I went  to  school  with  much  glee,  and  was  found  in 
my  place  at  recitation  hour,  ready  to  recite  from  my  new  book. 
But  what  did  Mrs.  Stark  do?  Jerked  my  new  primer  from  my 
hand,  threw  it  on  the  floor  and  stamped  on  it,  then  gave  me  an  old 
Ale  Guffey’s  Elementary  spelling  book  and  told  me  to  study  that. 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


Ater  she  departed  I picked  my  new  primer  from  out  the  dust, 
took  it  home  and  left  it  there,  where  I thought  it  would  receive 
better  care. 

My  next  was  Martin  Shinn,  a little  better  than  the  first;  then 
came  John  Hedgepeth.  He  would  not  allow  the  boys  to  hollow 
for  Abraham  Lincoln.  Oh,  it  was  a task  to  refrain,  but  never- 
theless we  stood  the  racket. 

Next  came  Henry  Schoofield,  Charlie  Steele.  Lib  Parker. 
David  Graham,  Page  Loofborough,  Calvin  Diggs  and  R.  A. 
Leavell.  So  ends  my  country  schooling.  After  this  I attended 
the  Farmland  graded  school,  Prof.  Lee  Ault,  superintendent,  and 
by  the  way,  a fine  instructor.  Also  attended  the  Ridgeville  col- 
lege, where  I had  the  work  of  book-keeping,  penmanship,  Ger- 
man language  and  vocal  music. 

Later  on  I attended  the  Pen  Art  schools,  of  Delaware,  Ohio, 
Prof.  G.  W.  Michael,  superintendent,  who  was  considered  one  of 
the  best  instructors  of  the  art  in  the  United  tates. 

December  25th,  1875  I was  married  to  Marietta  Wright, 
daughter  of  Amos  and  Deliah  Wright,  at  the  residence  of  the 
bride  s home,  two  miles  west  of  Winchester,  Ind.,  Rev.  P.  S. 
Stephens  officiating.  Several  of  the  immediate  friends  and  rela- 
tives were  in  attendance.  This  union  has  been  blessed  by  the 
adition  of  two,  Carlton  (the  last  mention  in  this  sketch)  and  Lyra 
Myrtle,  born  8th  month,  8th,  1881. 

The  most  part  of  his  public  life  has  been  spent  in  carpenter- 
ing, merchandising  and  school  teaching,  having  done  business  at 
Stone  Station,  Farmland  and  Winchester.  Taught  school  in  the 
following  townships:  White 'River,  Washington,  Monroe,  Green. 
Stony  Creek  and  Franklin,  all  in  the  county  of  Randolph.  At 
the  present  time  is  the  proprietor  of  the  “Mid-Way  Grocery,’’ 
south  side  public  square,  Winchester,  Ind.  About  two  years  ago 
he  began  the  geneology  (chantform)  of  his  grandfather,  Daniel 
Williams,  which  is  now  nearly  complete,  giving  all  the  decend- 
ants  of  D.  W.,  to  whom  and  where  married,  names,  births,  dates 
and  deaths.  He  is  writing  a book  of  religious  songs,  which, 
when  complete,  will  be  an  excellent  selection,  giving  it  the  title 
of  “Sacred  Melodies,’’  for  social  worships  and  revival  services. 
He  is  also  writing  a book  of  poetry  and  prose  under  the  title  name 
of  “Read  and  Reflect,’’  or  “Golden  Gems  of  Choicest  Thoughts 
for  Thinking  People  to  Ponder.”  The  selections  are  charming, 
captivating  and  entertaining,  as  well  as  exalting,  elevating  and 
ennobling,  suitable  for  both  young  and  old,  being  of  a moral  and 
religious  sentiment.  When  means  will  suffice  for  its  publication 


332 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


the  work  will  be  completed  and  a copy  should  find  its  way  to  each 
and  every  family,  as  the  tendency  will  be  toward  a better  obser- 
vance and  in  keeping  with  all  the  principles  of  righteousness. 

Carlton  O.  Williams,  the  last  of  this  sketch,  and  completing 
the  five  generations,  was  born  in  Winchester,  Ind.,  nth  month, 
19th,  1876,  and  has  spent  the  greater  portion  of  his  life  in  the 
town  of  his  birth.  He  began  his  schooling  in  the  country,  but 
with  his  parents  soon  moved  to  town,  where  he  has  since  gradu- 
ated. He  is  now  in  the  employ  of  his  father  under  the  firm  name 
of  J.  H.  Willims  & Son. 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


333 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


By  request  I submit  this  as  a part  of  my  early  experiences  of 
pioneer  life  in  Randolph  County,  Indiana. 

My  parents  were  among  the  early  settlers,  and  emigrated 
from  the  state  of  Virginia  in  1819,  the  year  after  the  county  was 
organized.  Thirteen  constituted  the  family,  and  I am  the  young- 
est of  eleven  children.  My  father’s  first  improvement  was  a 
round  log  cabin.  His  trials  were  many,  but  they  were  over- 
come with  an  indomitable  spirit  to  make  an  honest  living  for  his 
family.  He  went  forty  miles  to  get  corn  cracked  to  feed  his 
young  on  and  cut  his  road  through  the  wilderness  a great  part  of 
the  way.  Forty  miles  to  get  a barrel  of  salt,  when  the  roads  were 
so  bad  that  one  barrel  made  a two  horse  load  through  the  swamps. 
It  cost  at  that  time  from  six  to  seven  dollars  a barrel  and  the  pay 
had  to  be  in  specie  or  coon  skins,  which  was  a legal  tender  in 
business  transactions;  25  to  3 7*4  cents  a pelt,  with  no  source  of 
income,  but  to  draw  sap  from  the  maple  and  convert  into  sugar 
and  molasses,  and  then  had  no  market  for  it  short  of  twenty-five 
or  one  hundred  miles.  But  to  myself  more  particularly.  I have 
often  been  requested  to  write  about  myself  and  give  my  own  ex- 
periences. For  many  reasons  I have  often  declined  from  doing 
anything  of  the  kind,  for  the  simple  reason  that  the  eternal  “I” 
of  so  many  writers  is  to  me  more  than  half  disgusting.  It  seems 
egotistic  to  be  always  repeating  the  story  of  your  own  achieve- 
ments. Feeling  thus,  I avoid,  so  far  as  possible,  writing  or  talk- 
ing solely  of  self.  I know  that  I was  born  in  great  poverty.  The 
log  cabin  in  which  I first  breathed  and  saw  the  light  of  day  has 
long  since  passed  away;  but  it  was  so  indellably  impressed  on  my 
mind,  that  it  is  fresh  to  my  vision  now.  My  living  was  meager 
and  scant.  I hardly  knew  what  luxury  was.  My  bread  was 
principally  of  corn,  occasionally  biscuit,  and  that  was  served  on 
strong  enough  to  intoxicate.  Our  salt  meats  were  fatted  on 
maste  in  the  woods;  our  fresh  meats  in  the  heated  season  con- 
sisted of  wild  game  which  abounded  in  plenty. 

The  opportunity  for  obtaining  an  education  was  very  limited 
compared  with  the  present.  The  school  houses  were  rudely  con- 
structed, built  cf  round  logs  with  wide  fire  places  on  one  side  and 
a log  cut  out  on  the  other  with  greased  paper  pasted  on  for  a 
window,  to  write  by,  and  in  turn  each  scholar  was  permitted  in 
order  and  limited  to  so  much  time  for  writing  each  day.  The 
most  of  my  schooling  cost  me  six  miles’  walk  through  mud  and 


334 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


water  each  day  of  the  term,  and  the  term  was  from  two  and 
sometimes  three  months  in  the  year,  and  that  in  the  winter  sea- 
son. For  night  study  I had  to  resort  to  a log  fire,  sometimes  I 
would  get  hickory  bark  to  get  a more  brilliant  light.  Occasion- 
ally got  the  benefit  of  an  old  iron  lamp  that  consumed  the  dirty 
grease  with  wick  made  of  the  remnants  of  our  worn  out  shirts. 
How  does  this  compare  with  the  age  of  kerosene,  gas  and  elec- 
tricity for  heat  and  illumination? 

The  wearing  apparel  was  principally  home-made.  Flax  and 
linen  were  used  for  summer  raiment.  Nearly  every  household 
raised  a small  amount  of  flax  for  the  lint,  and  instead  of  having 
drawing  room  parties,  we  had  flax  pulling  frolicks  and  the  com- 
pany would  mate,  male  and  female,  gent  selecting  his  best  girl, 
march  to  the  field  two  by  two  and  side  by  side,  pull  the  crop  by 
hand,  spread  it  in  swathes  upon  the  ground  to  cure.  Later  on  it 
would  be  taken  up  and  spread  upon  the  meadows  to  bleach. 
Then  came  the  breaking,  scratching  and  hackling.  All  this  was 
attended  with  the  loss  of  many  drops  of  sweat;  but  was  enjoyed 
hughly,  knowing  it  to  be  a matter  of  necessity. 

Refinement  was  not  considered  an  accomplisnment  so  much 
as  a good  worker.  Industry  was  the  prominent  motive  and 
greatest  ambition.  The  most  desired  topic  of  the  women  in  their 
associations  was  how  many  cuts  such  an  one  could  spin  a day. 
Everything  merged  into  industry,  and  the  hum  of  the  spining 
wheel  made  music  for  the  neighborhool  instead  of  the  pianos.  I 
have  seen  my  good  father  and  mother  take  the  wool  from  the 
sheep’s  back,  wash  the  fleece  and  sit  up  until  a late  hour  in  the 
night  before  a blazing  fire  carding  the  wool  by  hand  into  rolls, 
spin,  color  and  weave  the  same  into  cloth,  cut  and  make  it  into 
garments  for  the  family.  Jeans  and  lincey  for  the  winter,  flax  and 
tow  linen  for  the  summer.  One  other  circumstance  I will  never 
forget.  I feel  delicate  to  mention  it  in  this  day  of  refinement,  but 
as  people  were  at  that  time  honest  and  unassuming,  it  did  not 
occasion  any  gossip.  It  may  seem  strange  to  you,  but  neverthe- 
less a fact  to  me. 

I well  remember  the  first  pair  of  breeches  (as  they  wTere 
called)  I wore.  As  a lamentable  fact  I was  big  enough  to  make 
love  to  the  girls.  Well,  to  be  sure,  it  was  somewhat  embarras- 
sing, but  everything  went.  No  critics  then,  and  as  evrybody 
was  honest,  nothing  was  said  about  it.  Style  and  fashion  cut  no 
figure,  the  motto  Avas  do  the  best  you  can  and  you  were  called  a 
hero.  We  had  no  division  or  classification  in  the  social  circle, 
all  belonged  to  the  same  great  family.  Consequent^  God’s  law 
prevailed  (harmony)  and  people  lived  happy  . 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


335 


My  mother  employed  a widowed  lady,  who  lived  near  by,  to 
make  my  breeches,  and  when  done  I was  sent  after  them.  She 
requested  me  to  go  behind  the  door,  (as  there  was  but  one  apart- 
ment) and  put  them  on,  and  don’t  you  know  I was  as  proud  as 
Lucifer.  I moved,  stepping  as  high  as  a blind  horse.  I traversed 
every  path  in  the  vicinity  that  led  to  a neighbor’s  house,  that  they 
might  see  my  improvement,  and  some  of  the  older  people,  to  guy 
me,  would  say,  ‘‘where  are  you  going  young  man?”  and  in  retort 
I would  reply,  “I  am  putting  for  the  settlement,”  as  different 
neighborhoods  were  called  settlements  in  those  times.  But 
such  was  life  in  this  new  country  before  civilization  had  driven 
all  the  native  red  men  of  the  forest  to  the  far  off  west. 

I was  a pupil  of  the  first  Sabbath  school  organized  in  Win- 
chester and  I was  faithful  and  prompt  in  attendance,  and  hailed 
with  gladness  the  coming  Sabbath  as  a day  of  recreation,  and  re- 
peat so  many  lines  of  the  Bible  that  I committed  to  memory  as 
was  apportioned  by  my  teacher  for  each  Sabbath.  I had  to  travel 
three  miles  to  enjoy  that  Sunday  feast,  and  as  I was  limited  to 
one.  pair  of  shoes  a year  I \yas  very  careful  not  to  wear  them  out 
too  soon,  as  I have  made  barefooted  tracks  many  times  in  the 
snow  before  I got  my  new  ones.  My  shoes  were  made  of  heavy 
cow  skin,  home  tanned,  and  about  half  tanned  at  that,  and  in 
July  and  August  they  woulld  get  hard  as  rawhide,  so  I would  be- 
gin to  grease  and  set  in  the  sun  about  Friday  to  have  them  soft 
for  to  go  to  Sabbath  school.  Being  limited  in  footwear  I was  so 
careful  that  I carried  them  in  my  hands  until  I neared  the  village 
before  I put  them  on,  and  the  same  on  my  return. 

My  mother  died  at  the  age  of  sixty.  My  father  lived  to  the 
ripe  age  of  ninety-seven,  and  died  a healthy  man;  no  disease;  just 
wore  out  and  died.  I am  in  my  sixty-ninth  anniversary,  and 
contemplate  living  three  years  longer  than  my  father  and  make 
out  the  hundred. 

One  other  event  occurred  in  our  family  that  created  alarm 
and  consternation  throughout  the  whole  settlement,  and  that  was 
the  loss  of  three  children  in  the  woods.  Our  sheep  had  to  be 
herded  to  browse  in  the  woods.  When  evening  came  on  it 
clouded  over  and  they  took  the  wrong  direction  for  home,  con- 
trary to  the  inclination  of  the  flock.  Night  came  on,  dark  and 
dismal,  and  the  pelting  snow  began  to  fall,  and  three  children 
gone.  No  one  knew  where  except  in  the  wild  woods,  with  In- 
dians skulking  around  and  the  woods  infested  with  howling 
wolves  and  screaming  panthers,  barefooted  and  without  food. 
Imagine  if  you  please,  the  feelings  of  a kind  father  and  mother. 
The  alarm  was  given  and  enmass  the  whole  neighborhood  re- 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


336 


sponded.  Some  afoot,  others  mounted  on  horesback,  equiped 
with  bugles  and  loaded  guns,  the  sounds  of  which  made  the  air 
vibirate  with  an  echo.  At  last  the  signals  were  answered,  the 
children  were  found  and  returned  to  their  home,  to  father  and 
mother  and  such  rejoicing  was  beyond  expression. 

My  first  schooling  was  in  a log  house  in  the  woods.  After 
I got  to  be  a good  sized  boy  I attended  the  seminary  school  in 
Winchester.  My  receptor,  James  S.  Ferris,  one  of  the  noted 
teachers,  to  whom  I owe  much  as  to  my  habits  of  life,  was  offered 
and  accepted  a situation  at  Muncie,  Ind.,  for  more  money,  and 
as  I was  a favorite  pupil  for  my  obedience,  insisted  that  I should 
go  with  him  and  persue  my  studies.  I declined  on  account  of  not 
having  means  to  defray  my  expenses.  Bite  he  over-persuaded 
and  I paid  my  contingences  as  an  assistant  in  hearing  recitations 
in  minor  branches.  Later  on  I was  furnished  a scholarship  to 
attend  the  Asbury  university,  where  I finished  what  little  educa- 
tion I have.  Being  unable  for  the  want  of  funds  to  complete  my 
collegeate  course,  I withdrew  and  concluded  to  take  unto  myself 
my  best  girl  and  entered  the  busy  scenes  of  life,  and  thus  far  my 
scholastic  days  ended. 

I have  followed  many  avocations.  I have  been  a farmer,  a 
counter-hoper,  a school  teacher,  a railroader,  a shipper  and  a 
dentist  and  photographer.  I might  say  Jack  of  all  trades,  and 
at  present  a hotel  landlord  and  have  been  for  nineteen  years  feed- 
ing the  hungry,  but  let  the  naked  clothe  themselves. 

Sometimes  I think  it  a burning  shame  that  I was  born  so 
soon,  when  I see  how  nice  the  little  ones  have  it  now,  wearing  fine 
shoes  the  year  round,  and  clad  with  such  nice  wearing  apparel. 
They  must  have  fine  baby  carriages,  with  body  on  springs,  cush- 
ioned most  elaborately  and  silk  or  satin  parasol  adjusted  over 
them  to  shelter  from  the  sunshine  or  storm.  But  how  different 
it  is  now.  When  I was  a baby  of  course  I thought  I was  just  as 
good  as  any  other  baby.  But  I had  to  be  rocked  in  a sugar 
trough,  and  if  I got  restless  and  fretful,  as  most  children  do,  I 
got  my  bottom  spanked  and  set  down  on  a puncheon  floor. 

Oft  times  when  I reflect  on  my  early  birth  I feel  sorrow  that 
my  time  was  so  soon.  But  when  I consider,  and  truthfully  say 
that  I have  seen  and  experienced  things  that  the  present  and 
future  generations  never  can,  it  gives  me  consolation. 

Omitting  the  many  long  winded  stories  of  my  deer  and  bear 
hunts  and  the  pleasant  times  that  were  so  enjoyable  at  our  frol- 
iclcs  I will  close,  least  I tire  the  readers’  patience. 

This  is  all  I care  to  give  of  mv  pioneer  life. 

S.  O.  IRVIN. 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


337 


CHAPTER  IX. 

SACREDLY  TO  MY  MOTHER. 

Written  a few  months  before  the  death  of  Minerva  J.  Harri- 
son, whose  suffering  was  long  and  most  severe.  She  lived  until 
November  4th,  1893,  the  eighty-fifth  anniversary  of  her  birth, 
when  she  passed  away  in  terrible  agony,  but  strong  in  the  faith 
of  a blessed  Immortality. 

There’s  a woman  that  I love,  an’  I can’t  tell  you  why, 

’Taint  because  she’s  pretty,  or  has  a beamin’  eye; 

Nor  is  it  ’cause  she’s  dressed  in  the  neatest  of  the  style, 

Nor  ’cause  when  she  laughs,  that  she  has  the  sweetest  smile. 

She  has  the  marks  of  sorrow,  an’  a mighty  sight  of  care, 

Her  form  is  very  stooped,  an’  her  body  frail  and  weir; 

But  I tell  you  after  all,  when  I hear  her  precious  voice, 

I feel  so  kind  o’  good,  that  it  makes  me  to  rejoice. 

She’s  livin’  in  a cottage  that  was  built  long  ago. 

Where  she’s  felt  much  of  sorrow  an’  not  a little  woe; 

It’s  where  she  sang  her  songs,  in  her  olden  time  way, 

With  hopes  just  as  bright  as  a fine  summer  day. 

An’  when  I go  to  see  her  in  that  quiet  little  home, 

Where  I first  saw  the  light,  an’  my  feet  began  to  roam, 

An’  see  her  bended  form,  and  shake  her  bony  hand, 

So  many  tender  feelin’s  come,  I can’t  hardly  stand. 

An  when  I stoop  to  kiss  her,  an’  see  her  eyes  so  dim, 

An’  see  her  wrinkled  brow,  with  face  so  very  slim, 

An’  feel  the  touch  of  lips  that  I felt  when  a boy, 

My  mind  is  full  of  thinkin’  an’  my  heart  full  of  joy. 

So  when  I say  I love  her,  the  story  is  untold, 

I can’t  tell  you  why,  though  my  words  were  of  gold ; 

My  feelin’s  whisper  though,  yet  none  but  angels  hear, 

An’' waft  the  mystery  to  the  skies — the  love  of  Mother  dear. 


338 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


In  all  her  sufferin’  pains  an’  aches,  I can’t  tell  you  why, 

I feel  somethin’  in  my  mind  a runnin’  to  the  sky, 

A callin’  for  the  Saviour  dear,  a kind  an’  lovin’  Friend, 

Just  to  send  a little  help,  an’  let  the  angels  tend. 

An’  when  they  want  to  take  her  far  up  into  the  skies, 

They’ll  bear  her  up  so  tenderly,  just  like  an  angel  flies: 

An’  show  her  to  the  Saviour,  an’  all  the  heavenly  throng, 

An’  join  with  her  a singin’  the  great  Redemption  song. 

June  27th,  1893.  — H.  A.  HARRISON. 


FALLIN’  LEAVES  AN’  FLOATIN’  STICKS. 

Did  you  ever  stand  a lookin’  in  the  fall  of  the  year 
An’  see  the  leaves  a droppin’  of  a color  brown  an’  sear? 

Did  you  ever  stand  a lookin’  at  the  falls  of  a stream 
An’  see  the  quiet  waters  as  they  pour  o’er  so  clean? 

I’ve  seen  the  sticks  a floatin’,  an’  I’ve  watched  ’em  while  they  go, 
Just  to  see  which’s  first  to  reach  the  falls  below. 

I’ve  watched  ’em  in  the  front  an’  I’ve  pointed  to  the  one 
That'd  reach  the  falls  first,  as  they  smoothly  glided  on ; 

But  afore  I was  a thinking  apast  would  float  another, 

An’  reach  the  falls  ahead,  just  as  if  ’twas  no  bother. 

An’  then  I’d  stand  an’  gaze  an’  ponder  in  my  minu 
How  a little  stick  a floatin’  in  the  same  stream  behind, 

Could  dart  apast  the  other  in  such  a quiet  way 
An’  reach  the  falls  below,  an’  be  hid  ’neath  the  spray 
While  the  other  was  a floatin’  an’  a cornin’  in  the  stream 
A little  bit  behind — but  why,  could  not  be  seen. 

o the  floatin’  of  the  sticks  an'  the  failin’  of  the  leaves 
Have  stirred  me  up  to  thinkin’,  an  a thinkin’  at  my  ease. 

An’  I Ssee  a mighty  stream,  an’  its  glidin’  smoothly  on, 

An’  we’re  all  just  a floatin’  by  the  current  we  are  drawn, 

We  see  the  aged  cornin’  an  ’we  count  ’em  in  advance, 

While  the  younger  float  behind  without  a better  cnance ; 

But  all  at  once  they  dart  as  per  force  of  stream 
An’  a past  the  aged  go,  though  we  get  but  a 'gleam. 

An’  so  we  see  the  leaves,  an’  some  are  failin’  slow, 

While  others  dart  a past,  an’  reach  the  earth  below. 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


339 


From  these  we  gather  lessons  which  I trust  in  my  mind 
Will  teach  us  God’s  wisdom,  though  we  seem  far  behind. 

The  stream  of  Time’s  a river  with  its  currents  fast  and  slow, 
An’  we’re  all  just  a floatin’  to  the  falls  now  below; 

We  know  not  what  the  current  that’ll  speed  us  thus  along, 

Or  what  may  be  the  eddy  with  its  checking  force  so  strong; 
So  whether  fore  or  aft,  as  we  glide  down  the  stream, 

W e’ll  not  forget  our  Anchor,  though  our  life’s  but  a dream. 
For  now  we  look  around  us,  as  we  did  a year  ago, 

An’  see  that  some  are  missin’,  they’ve  darted  on  Defore. 

We  scarcely  saw  a ripple  as  they  glided  swiftly  on— 

We  feel  that  we  are  passin’ — we  know  that  they  are  gone; 

But  oh,  the  blessed  Hope,  an’  the  anchor  sure  an’  strong 
Which  is  given  by  our  Pilot,  as  we  float  amidst  the  storm. 

An’  thus  as  years  roll  on,  an’  we’re  passin’  one  by  one 
We’ll  ever  trust  in  Jesus,  who’ll  guide  us  through  the  storm. 
An’  when  we  pass  the  falls,  and  are  hid  ’neath  the  spray, 

We’ll  rise  with  Him  in  glory  to  see  a brighter  day. 

An’  then  with  loved  ones  dear  an’  others  in  the  throng. 

We’ll  tune  our  throats  anew  an’  sing  a sweeter  song. 

Union  City.  Ind.,  June  9,  1895.  — H.  A.  HARRISON. 


340 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  X. 


Dr.  I.  N.  Rarick,  of  Bluff  Point,  Jay  County,  Indiana,  was 
born  April  19th,  1835,  in  Washington  Township,  Darke  County, 
Ohio.  He  came  with  his  parents  to  Jay  County,  Ind.,  April  3rd, 
1851.  He  settled  on  the  farm  on  the 'east  side  of  the  Winchester 
and  Portland  road,  the  first  farm  in  Jay  County.  All  was  timber 
for  miles  around  except  now  and  then  a small  cleared  spot.  As 
he  grew  up  the  timber  vanished  and  when  the  war  broke  out  120 
acres  had  been  cleared.  He  still  stayed  in  the  county  clearing 
up  a part  of  three  farms,  either  with  his  money  or  his  muscle,  and 
has  studied  and  practiced  medicine  in  the  same  county.  He  is 
now  one  of  the  best  posted  and  most  successful  physicians  in  the 
county,  if  good  rapid  cures  make  success.  December  31,  1863, 
he  married  Miss  Adaline  Wood,  who  has  been  known  as  a 
teacher  and  Sabbath  school  worker  in  Jay  and  Randolph  Coun- 
ties. His  grandfather  moved  to  Darke  County,  Ohio,  at  what  is 
now  called  Shary  Eye  P.  O.,  in  1818.  His  father,  Phillip  Rarick, 
was  bom  in  Montgomery  County,  Ohio,  September  16,  1808, 
and  when  ten  years  old  came  with  his  father  to  Darke  County, 
where  he  grew  up  and  helped  him  clear  up  what  is  now  the  Wm. 
Elston  place.  The  characteristic  mark  of  the  Rarick  race  is  red 
wavy  hair.  Philip  Rarick,  to  be  consistent,  married  Miss  Sarah 
Chenweth,  who  also  had  red  hair.  The  result  was  a family  of 
ten,  all  of  whom  had  red  wavy  hair,  but  Adam,  who  had  straight, 
but  very  red  hair.  His  brothers  and  sisters  and  their  husbands 
and  wives  have  a landed  possession  of  22,000  acres  of  land,  the 
most  of  which  is  their  own  earning.  His  brothers,  Abraham  C., 
Jacob  J.,  Adam  C.  and  Charles  W.,  were  soldiers  to  help  put 
down  the  rebellion  of  ’6i  to  ’65,  they  serving  a total  of  thirteen 
years,  all  returning  home  without  the  loss  of  a limb.  Charles  W. 
went  through  three  years  in  Co.  H.  100th  Ind.  V.  I.,  which  com- 
pany was  made  up  in  Jay  County.  Charles  W.,  then  a boy,  re- 
fused a corporal  three  times  to  have  the  honor  of  going  through 
the  war  a private.  He  had  a detail  to  forage  from  Savannah  to 
the  close  of  the  war,  seldom  marching  with  the  column  as  Sher- 
man went  north  through  the  Carolinas. 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


341 


After  the  war  closed  he  started  to  school  at  Liber,  and  ended 
at  Marietta  college  with  the  degree  of  A.  B.,  1874;  M.  A.,  1877, 
M.  D.  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  1883,  paying  for  it  all  by  his  own 
earnings.  He  taught  several  terms  of  school  in  Jay  County,  and 
now  is  practicing  medicine  at  Greenville,  Ohio. 

Abraham  C.  rose  to  second  lieutenant;  Jacob  J.,  to  major, 
and  had  command  of  the  69th  Regt.  O.  V.  I.  from  Atlanta  to 
Savannah  and  up  to  Goldsborough.  His  regiment  was  in  the 
lead  at  Bentonville,  S.  C.,  \yhen  Rebel  General  Joe  Johnson  and 
General  Braggs  tried  to  surprise  Sherman  and  whip  him  corps  at 
a time.  Bue  he  struck  too  many  good  fighters  to  succeed. 

Adam  arose  to  sargeant.  He  did  his  service  in  the  6th  Iowa 
with  the  15th  corps.  He  now  has  retired  from  the  farm  to  live 
in  Osceola,  la.  He  has  earned  and  cultivated  800  acres  of  land 
in  Clarke  County,  Iowa. 

Ira  O.  Rarick  was  too  young  to  be  a soldier,  but  has  made 
his  wealth  in  farming  and  dairying  in  Cass  County,  Mo. 

Mrs.  Chas.  Moorehouse  is  his  sister;  also  Mrs.  S.  L.  Roberts, 
of  Collins,  Neb.,  is  his  youngest  full  sister.  John  Rarick,  of  Pike 
Township,  Jay  County,  is  his  uncle. 

Dr.  I.  N.  Rarick  has  been  a resident  of  Jay  County  from  a 
boy  of  15,  except  a short  time  he  was  in  the  west  . 


Note: — This  is  to  certify  that  we  have  published  6,000  copies 
of  this  book  for  Mrs.  A.  T.  Lynch,  of  Decatur,  Ind. 

LIPES,  NELSON  & SINGM ASTER, 

JOB  PRINTERS  AND  CIGAR  BOX  MANUFACTURERS, 

30  E.  MAIN  ST.  , FORT  WAYNE,  IND. 


342 


Np;\V  CORRYDON,  JAY  COUNTY 


JOS.  M.  MINCH. 

Dry  Goods  and  Groceries, 

Boots,  Shoes  and  Clothing. 


Dp.  Rolsfon,  M.  D. 


M.  W.  BEOHN, 


BLACKSMITH. 


NEW  CORRYDON,  JAY  COUNTY. 


343 


George  Marlin  & Son, 

Dry  Goods  and 


BOOTS,  SHOES  & CLOTHING. 

O.  A.  MUTH, 

HARDWARE. 

L.  P.  FENNINQ, 


DRUGS 


344 


NEW  CORRYDON,  JAY  COUNTY 


JAY  GIT  AT 

Cheap  Gafley 

General  Store. 

MRS.  B.  H.  ADAMS, 

MILLINER 


Lee  R.  Houser, 


H DRUGS  s~ 


DUNKIRK,  JAY  COUNTY. 


345 


THE  NATIONAL  BANK. 


J.  A.  STAFFORD,  JR.,  Proprietor. 


„ ^ 


Pearl  Sleam  Latmdry, 


346 


DUNKIRK,  JAY  COUNTY 


COLE  & BAKER, 


Attorneys  at  Law. 


Stuart  * Brus.. 

FURNITURE, 


^t>  the:  «£■ 


drilt  nnD  weekly  m 


DUNKIRK,  JAY  COUNTY. 

The  iTodel 


347 


Clothing  Store. 


HERSCH  i BROS. 

HOTEL 

^TAFT 


JJAHES  TAFT,  Prop, 


34? 


DUNKIRK,  JAY  COUNTY. 


n.  s.  cunnimnn, 

DRUGS. 

fjapcc  & Schellejt, 

MEAT  MARKET. 

Fredericke  & Murry, 

DRUGS. 


DUNKIRK,  JAY  COUNTY. 


349 


CALL  ON 


J.  W.  BOSMAN 


For  Yonr  Livery, 


JOSEPH  (TIASSCIAS, 


DEALER  IN 


Fruits,  Nuts,  Candies, 


And  Staple  Groceries. 


..50 

DUNKIRK.  JAY  COUNTY. 

. / / i > T ’ 

mARTHA  J.  FAULKncn, 


—DEALER  IN- 

Staple  and  Fancy  Groceries. 


Fitzpatrick  Bros. 

DEALERS  IN 

GROCERIES,  • QUEENSWARE 


AND  FINE  CHINA. 


I I f r,  (*,  j V 

DUNKIRK,  JAY  COUNTY.  35l 


UftfA.n/. 

- 


CARL  & FORD, 

BLACKSMITHS. 


^ 'TH  e — 

DAILY  inDErEADEnCE. 

PETER  McNELLY, 


FURNITURE. 


35? 


DUNKIRK,  JAY  COUNTY. 


^P,  ffiarnes  <5c  Co. 


J>lour  *77/ ill. 


BARNEY  LEIT5, 

DEALER  IN 

Boots  and  Shoes. 


Puth  & Skipper, 


HARDWARE. 


PRESERVATION  REVIEW 


